“The lines between intended and actual audience are growing more blurred, which is vexing for some and exciting for others.” (Bookover, Burns & Jensen, 2014) When it comes to new adult and YA in the library where I work, I would say this is a pretty accurate statement. We probably have more adults checking out YA books than actual young adults. I think our new adult material is predominantly mixed in with our adult fiction, so it gets checked out by people of all ages. Collen Hoover for example is shelved in the adult section. We can barely keep any of her books on the shelf, because they are being put on hold and checked out by patrons of all ages. We also have patrons of all ages that check out graphic novels. We have manga, graphic novels, comic books, and we even have a Bridgerton graphic novel/comic book that Julia Quinn wrote with her late sister. (It's hilarious by the way!) As far as I am concerned they are all valid reading choices.
I don’t personally have an issue with adults reading YA, new adult, graphic novels/manga, or even children’s books. I still read YA, kids books, whatever strikes my fancy, so who am I to judge? I have had adult patrons ask me if it’s ok for them to check stuff out from the children’s section. It makes sad they feel like they need to ask, but we always enthusiastically tell them they can check anything they want. I remember telling one patron who sheepishly asked me if it was ok to for them to check out kids books, that we don’t care what you read, we’re not here to judge, as librarians we’re just thrilled you’re reading! She responded with a relieved look followed quickly by a huge grin, before heading downstairs to our children’s department. This remains my philosophy as a librarian. It’s not my job to judge you based on what you read. It’s my job to encourage you to read period. I don’t care if it’s a magazine, a graphic novel, a kid’s picture book, or a book on fly fishing. I am just thrilled you’ve found something you enjoy reading!
References:
Brookover, S., Burns, E., & Jensen, K. (2014). What’s New About New Adult? Horn Book Magazine, 90(1), 41–45.
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