Comics and graphic novels in public libraries: survey responses

Methodology

Libraries Connected surveyed public library services in England in June and July 2026, receiving 55 responses out of a total of 152 library services. The number of people answering each question is shown as Respondents. Percentages are calculated from the valid responses to each question, excluding respondents who did not provide an answer.

For questions where respondents could select more than one answer, percentages show the proportion of valid respondents selecting each option and may therefore add up to more than 100%. For the ranking question, percentages show the proportion of respondents who placed each factor anywhere in their top three.

Open-text questions, administrative fields and identifying information have been excluded. Duplicate answer categories have been consolidated. Individual write-in responses are not shown separately, and answer categories receiving less than 5% of valid responses have been grouped as Other, except where questions use an ordered response scale (for example, levels of importance, effectiveness or agreement). In these cases, all response categories are shown regardless of frequency. Percentages have been rounded to one decimal place, so totals may not always equal exactly 100%.

Does your library currently hold comics and/or graphic novels?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Yes	100.0%

Approximately how large is your comics and graphic novel collection (print and digital combined)?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
More than 5,000	34.5%
1,001–5,000	21.8%
100–500	21.8%
501–1,000	10.9%
Don’t know	7.3%
Other	3.6%

Which categories do you actively collect?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Children’s graphic novels	100.0%
Teen graphic novels	80.0%
Manga for teens	72.7%
Young Adult graphic novels	72.7%
Adult graphic fiction	70.9%
Early reader graphic novels	67.3%
Children’s comics	63.6%
Digital graphic novels	61.8%
Digital comics	60.0%
Superhero comics	58.2%
Adult manga	50.9%
Literary graphic novels	49.1%
Graphic non-fiction	32.7%
Graphic memoirs	29.1%
Independent/alternative comics	29.1%
Other	1.8%

Multiple answers could be selected.

Change in the size of the physical collection

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Increased somewhat	38.2%
Remained stable	23.6%
Increased significantly	21.8%
Decreased somewhat	10.9%
Decreased significantly	5.5%

Change in the size of the digital collection

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Increased somewhat	40.0%
Remained stable	36.4%
Increased significantly	12.7%
Decreased significantly	9.1%
Decreased somewhat	1.8%

How are digital comics and graphic novels currently delivered to users?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Through the same platform as eBooks/eAudiobooks	65.5%
We do not offer digital comics	12.7%
Other	9.1%
Through multiple platforms	7.3%
Via consortium access	5.5%

How would you describe overall demand for comics and graphic novels?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
High	43.6%
Moderate	32.7%
Very high	18.2%
Low	3.6%
Very low	1.8%

Compared with five years ago, demand is:

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Higher	43.6%
Much higher	29.1%
About the same	25.5%
Lower	1.8%

Which user groups borrow comics most frequently?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Children (6–11)	78.2%
Young teens (12–14)	56.4%
Young adults (18–25)	41.8%
Older teens (15–17)	40.0%
Adults (26–44)	36.4%
Other	3.6%

Multiple answers could be selected.

Which children’s comics categories are most popular?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Humour	80.0%
Manga	72.7%
Superhero	70.9%
Adventure	58.2%
Fantasy	54.5%
Other	9.1%

Multiple answers could be selected.

Which adult comics categories are most popular?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Superhero	80.0%
Manga	60.0%
Science Fiction	54.5%
Fantasy	50.9%
Horror	30.9%
Crime/Thriller	12.7%
Literary graphic novels	10.9%
Memoir	9.1%
Other	9.1%
Romance	9.1%
Historical	7.3%

Multiple answers could be selected.

Demand for children’s comics

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Very high	41.8%
High	36.4%
Moderate	14.5%
Very low	5.5%
Low	1.8%

Demand for teen and young adult comics, manga and graphic novels

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
High	40.0%
Moderate	27.3%
Very high	23.6%
Low	7.3%
Very low	1.8%

Demand for adult comics and graphic novels

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Moderate	38.2%
High	32.7%
Low	18.2%
Very low	7.3%
Very high	3.6%

Whether demand for children’s comics is higher in physical or digital formats

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Physical is higher	83.6%
Digital is higher	16.4%

Whether demand for teen and young adult comics, manga and graphic novels is higher in physical or digital formats

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Physical is higher	81.8%
Digital is higher	18.2%

Whether demand for adult comics and graphic novels is higher in physical or digital formats

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Physical is higher	72.7%
Digital is higher	27.3%

Please rank the top three factors driving demand.

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Entertainment	96.4%
Popular media adaptations	80.0%
Manga popularity	74.5%
Social media	27.3%
Literacy development	16.4%
Other	5.5%

Percentages show the proportion of respondents selecting each factor anywhere in their top three.

How are your comics acquired?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Library supplier	92.7%
Digital platform providers	61.8%
Donations	20.0%
Other	12.7%
Local bookshops	9.1%
Standing orders/subscriptions	5.5%

Multiple answers could be selected.

How does your library primarily procure comics and graphic novels?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Combination of approaches	34.5%
Direct purchasing by the library service	29.1%
Through a consortium arrangement (all other answers will skip next question)	18.2%
Via a procurement framework	12.7%
Other	5.5%

Factors influencing comics and graphic novel purchasing decisions

Respondents: 55

Factor	Very important	Important	Moderately important	Slightly important	Not important
User demand	50.9%	43.6%	1.8%	1.8%	1.8%
Reviews	10.9%	29.1%	32.7%	21.8%	5.5%
Awards	1.8%	32.7%	41.8%	14.5%	9.1%
Diversity of representation	12.7%	47.3%	27.3%	7.3%	5.5%
Budget availability	52.7%	36.4%	7.3%	3.6%	0%
Publisher reputation	9.1%	30.9%	38.2%	14.5%	7.3%
Staff recommendations	14.5%	36.4%	36.4%	10.9%	1.8%

Which category receives the largest share of your comics budget (combined print and digital)?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Children’s comics	41.8%
Unsure	25.5%
Adult comics	14.5%
Teen/YA comics	10.9%
Budget distributed equally	7.3%

What are the biggest challenges when building a comics collection?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Budget constraints	74.5%
Theft of physical copies	61.8%
Lack of staff expertise	34.5%
Difficulty identifying quality titles	25.5%
Lack of supplier availability	25.5%
Limited shelf space	20.0%
Digital licensing issues	16.4%
Other	12.7%
Censorship/challenges	7.3%

Multiple answers could be selected.

What are the biggest barriers to expanding comics and graphic novel provision over the next five years?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Budget constraints	85.5%
Lack of expertise	34.5%
Publisher availability	34.5%
Shelf space	23.6%
Digital licensing restrictions	21.8%
Staff capacity	16.4%
Institutional perceptions of comics	9.1%

Multiple answers could be selected.

How sustainable do you consider your current comics and graphic novel collection model?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Mostly sustainable	40.0%
Neither sustainable nor unsustainable	30.9%
Somewhat unsustainable	12.7%
Not sure	7.3%
Very sustainable	3.6%
Very unsustainable	1.8%
Other	3.6%

Are current age guidance tools for comics sufficient?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Partly	40.0%
Unsure	32.7%
No	16.4%
Yes	10.9%

Which discoverability challenges most affect comics and graphic novels in your service?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Limited staff knowledge or confidence in recommending comics and graphic novels	69.1%
Inconsistent age ratings	36.4%
Limited catalogue metadata	25.5%
Limited reader advisory tools	23.6%
No significant issues	23.6%
Poor subject categorisation	21.8%

Multiple answers could be selected.

Does your library run comics-related activities?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Occasionally	54.5%
Rarely	25.5%
Never	12.7%
Regularly	7.3%

Which activities do you offer around the comics sector?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Workshops	49.1%
Drawing classes	41.8%
Author/creator events	34.5%
Comic conventions/festivals	21.8%
Summer reading programmes	16.4%
None	14.5%
Other	10.9%
Reading groups	10.9%
School outreach	9.1%

Multiple answers could be selected.

Which activities would you like to offer more of around the comics sector?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Author/creator events	65.5%
Workshops	63.6%
Drawing classes	58.2%
Comic conventions/festivals	41.8%
Reading groups	38.2%
School outreach	38.2%
Summer reading programmes	32.7%
Other	7.3%

Multiple answers could be selected.

Which audiences are most likely to participate in comics-related activities?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Primary-age children	72.7%
Teenagers	58.2%
Young adults	50.9%
Parents and children	45.5%
Adult readers	32.7%
Other	3.6%

Multiple answers could be selected.

How effective are comics in attracting new library users?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Moderately effective	43.6%
Very effective	23.6%
Slightly effective	16.4%
Not effective	10.9%
Extremely effective	5.5%

Over the next five years, do you expect demand for comics to:

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Increase somewhat	61.8%
Increase significantly	20.0%
Stay the same	16.4%
Decrease somewhat	1.8%

Which category has shown the strongest growth in borrowing over the last three years?

Respondents: 55

Answer	Percentage
Children’s comics	52.7%
Manga (all ages)	25.5%
Unsure	14.5%
Teen/YA comics	7.3%

Impact and perceptions of comics and graphic novels

Respondents: 34

Statement	Strongly agree	Agree	Neutral	Disagree	Strongly disagree
Comics encourage reading for pleasure	85.3%	11.8%	2.9%	0%	0%
Comics support literacy development	61.8%	23.5%	14.7%	0%	0%
Comics help engage reluctant readers	79.4%	20.6%	0%	0%	0%
Comics support visual literacy	70.6%	23.5%	5.9%	0%	0%
Comics can address complex social issues	55.9%	35.3%	5.9%	2.9%	0%
Comics deserve equal recognition alongside prose books	73.5%	14.7%	5.9%	5.9%	0%
Comics are valuable educational resources	52.9%	32.4%	14.7%	0%	0%
Support reading confidence	76.5%	23.5%	0%	0%	0%
Support literacy development	70.6%	23.5%	5.9%	0%	0%
Encourage reading for pleasure	85.3%	14.7%	0%	0%	0%
Help reluctant readers engage with books	82.4%	17.6%	0%	0%	0%
Support lifelong reading habits	52.9%	44.1%	2.9%	0%	0%
Encourage discussion of social issues	26.5%	41.2%	29.4%	2.9%	0%
Attract non-traditional readers	58.8%	35.3%	5.9%	0%	0%
Provide literary and cultural value equal to prose works	44.1%	41.2%	11.8%	2.9%	0%
Comics and graphic novels are now a core part of library collections	50.0%	29.4%	17.6%	2.9%	0%
Comics and graphic novels are increasingly important to reader development strategies	35.3%	41.2%	20.6%	2.9%	0%
Manga has become a significant driver of library engagement	20.6%	41.2%	32.4%	2.9%	2.9%
Investment in comics and graphic novels should increase over the next five years	32.4%	41.2%	23.5%	2.9%	0%

In your experience, which groups benefit most from comics?

Respondents: 34

Answer	Percentage
Reluctant readers	94.1%
Children	91.2%
Teenagers	88.2%
Neurodivergent readers	67.6%
Adults	61.8%
Dyslexic readers	52.9%
English-language learners	35.3%
Older adults	5.9%
Other	2.9%

Multiple answers could be selected.