San Juan Island, Orcas Island, and Lopez Island Libraries joined forces to offer access to Comics Plus, a digital library of comics, graphic novels, and manga for all ages. Library patrons of these three libraries now have free access to Comics Plus through their respective library websites, or by downloading Comics Plus app on their phone or tablet. With thousands of titles available, all ages can explore their favorite stories with 24/7 access, unlimited checkouts, and no waiting in hold lines.
Comics Plus helps all three libraries expand their graphic novel collections beyond what they can physically accommodate. Woody Ciskowski, Systems Librarian and graphic novel curator for Orcas Island Library pointed out, “When it comes to comics and manga, shelf space limits my ability to get all the books in a series. Almost all the ebooks in Comics Plus provide the complete series right in the app, so if you find a series you like, you’ll be able to read it through the most recent issue.”
By subscribing to Comics Plus together, all three libraries were able to reduce their individual costs, more efficiently providing this resource for the three island communities. This resource sharing will act as a model for future cost-saving collaborations. “Comics Plus has loads of great content for all ages, and we wouldn’t be able to add it to our collections without this collaboration,” said Anthony Morris, Assistant Director of the San Juan Island Library. “We’re excited to continue exploring this method of cost-savings, and to explore other ways to more effectively provide new content for our patrons.”
Those wanting to explore Comics Plus should look on their library’s website, or by downloading Comics Plus app on their phone or tablet and creating an account and login through the app. Links to access are available below:
San Juan Island Library: https://www.sjlib.org/a-to-z-of-online-resources/
Orcas Island Library: https://www.orcaslibrary.org/databases
Lopez Island Library: https://lopezlibrary.org/new-audiobooks-ebooks-movies-music/
The three independent island libraries have a long tradition of collaboration to expand services and stretch local resources. Through reciprocal borrowing agreements, residents of San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez can obtain library cards from each library. Applicants should be prepared to present their card or photo ID at each library for verification of eligibility. All three libraries have collections of books, videos, equipment, games, and other materials to loan, as well as access to freely available programs and events, public access computers, WiFi, and a suite of databases that patrons can access in the library or at home.