It looks like New York Comic Con is significantly broadening its outreach and the kinds of topics its covering this year. One sign of that is an entire track of programming at the New York Public Library, which will run from 9:30 am to 4:pm on Thursday, October 5 and feature programs geared toward librarians and educators. Boom! Studios, Scholastic, Valiant, the French Comics Association, CBC, the ALA, and more will participate.

AND it  all takes place at the iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street – the building with the Lions –  starting with a keynote talk featuring Laurie Halse Anderson (Speak,) and Ngozi Ukazu (Check, Please!). I’m very honored to be moderating/facilitating this conversation with these two great creators and a key topic.

How to get in? Well the event is free, BUT it is only open to those with a NYCC professional badge. But you can still apply for one here by reaching out to [email protected].

With SDCC offering four days of professional/library/education programming, and TCAF’s one day symposium for the same, NYCC and the NYPL are getting in on a very vibrant and important topic. And I’m thrilled to see this kind of focus coming back to NYCC. The early years of the show included a “pro half day” but that has increasingly gotten lost in the hubbub. Adding it back is a smart move.

“The New York Public Library is happy to offer the opportunity for educators and librarians to meet and connect with comic creators, writers, and publishers with the common goal of advocating for education,” said Amie Wright, Manager, School Outreach at The New York Public Library. “We believe in more people reading more and comics are a unique platform that encourages reader engagement and furthers student success and a joy of reading.”

 “New York Comic Con has always had a number of panels geared toward professional librarians and educators and we are truly excited to team up with The New York Public Library for expanded offerings for this year,” said Lance Fensterman, Global Head of ReedPOP. “With panels and workshops on a variety of different topics including graphic novel lesson planning, creating a gaming space in your local library, and using books to spark political interest in students, NYCC professional programming in The New York Public Library will provide librarians and educators with new and exciting ways to connect to your students and patrons.”

The PR didn’t include the full line up of panels but by looking at locations at the NYCC site you can put it together.

Celeste Auditorium:

 

Berger Forum:

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