Tag Archives: small press expo novel gift program

SPX announces a Special Multi-Media Event with Thalia Zedek and Leela Corman to benefit the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program

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Small Press Expo has announced a special multi-media event with famed indie-rock musician Thalia Zedek and award-winning graphic novelist Leela Corman as a benefit for the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program.

This special, one-time only performance will be held on Saturday, September 17 from 5PM-7PM in the White Oak Room at SPX 2022, which will be held at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.

The performance will include Leela presenting some of her recent comics accompanied with music by Thalia, who will then do a solo performance of her music while Leela’s art is projected on-screen. This will be followed by a Q&A session led by comics creator and teacher, Josh Bayer.

Tickets are $20 for people not attending SPX, and will be an additional $10 for those who buy badges to SPX 2022. Tickets for both this event and to attend SPX can be purchased via Eventbrite. 

More information about more programming and the exhibitors room at SPX 2022 can be found on the festival website. 

The money raised will be used to reinstate the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program, which awards a grant to library systems that serve under-privileged communities in the Mid-Atlantic region to supplement their budgets so they can purchase graphic novels for their patrons.

Thalia Zedek
Leela Corman

Thalia Zedek is a critically acclaimed indie-rock musician whose eponymously named band’s latest work, Perfect Vision  is available along with her many other recordings on the Thrill Jockey record label:

https://thrilljockey.com/artists/thalia-zedek

Leela Corman is teacher and award winning graphic novelist whose previous works include Unterzakhn (Schocken-Pantheon) and We All Wish For Deadly Force (Retrofit/Big Planet). More information about Leela and her works can be found on her web site: 

http://www.leelacorman.com/

SPX Has Announced its Graphic Novel Gift Program Recipients

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The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons, has announced that the Allegany County Library and the Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County are the 2018 recipients of the Small Press Expo Library Gift Program.

This program, the first of its kind in the United States, is an outright gift of comics and graphic novels to the libraries as selected by their collections specialists, who this year selected 186 titles comprising 224 individual books.

There was a formal presentation of the books to the libraries by Small Press Expo Graphic Novel Gift Program Director Catherine Fraas on Saturday, August 11.

The books were selected by the libraries from the offerings of publishers Adhouse, Fantagraphics, Top Shelf, Drawn & Quarterly, Cartoon Books, and Koyama Press, all of whom support this program.

Ericka Lugo designed a special bookplate that has been placed in all of the books donated by SPX.

SPX’s Graphic Novel Gift Program is an expansion of the philanthropic and charitable endeavors that are part of its corporate charter, and is in addition to SPX’s annual support to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The targets of this program are public and academic library systems in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area as selected by the Small Press Expo.

The goals of this program are:

  • to facilitate the availability of graphic novels to readers of all ages utilizing public and school libraries,
  • to promote learning and literacy through the availability of graphic novels at local libraries, and
  • to provide library systems with additional resources by which they can purchase graphic novels and comics.

SPX will be held Saturday, September 15 from 11am-7pm and Sunday, September 16, 12-6pm at the North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in North Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $15 for Saturday, $10 for Sunday, and $20 for both days.

SPX Announces Philadelphia Free Library As Recipient of Graphic Novel Gift Program

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The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce that the Philadelphia Free Library is the 2017 recipient of the Small Press Expo Graphic Novel Gift Program.

This program, the first of its kind in the United States, is an outright gift of graphic novels to the library as selected by the library’s collections specialists, who this year selected 87 titles comprising 310 individual books.

To date, the Small Press Expo Graphic Novel Gift Program has given away over 1800 graphic novels and comics to library systems from Virginia to Pennsylvania.

There was a formal presentation of the books to the Philadelphia Free Library by Small Press Expo Graphic Novel Gift Program Director Catherine Fraas on Saturday, September 9.

The books were selected by the library’s collection staff from the offerings of publishers Fantagraphics, Top Shelf, Drawn & Quarterly, Cartoon Books, Adhouse Books and Koyama Press, all of whom support this program.

The artist Kris Mukai designed a special bookplate that has been placed in all of the books to be donated by SPX.

SPX’s Graphic Novel Gift Program is an expansion of the philanthropic and charitable endeavors that are part of its corporate charter, and is in addition to SPX’s annual support to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The targets of this program are public and academic library systems in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area as selected by the Small Press Expo.

The goals of this program are:

  • to facilitate the availability of graphic novels to readers of all ages utilizing public and school libraries,
  • to promote learning and literacy through the availability of graphic novels at local libraries, and
  • to provide library systems with additional resources by which they can purchase graphic novels and comics.

SPX will be held Saturday, September 16 from 11am-7pm and Sunday, September 17, 12-6pm at the North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in North Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $15 for Saturday, $10 for Sunday, and $20 for both days.

Richmond Public Library Receives the 2016 SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program

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this-book-is-for-you-spxThe Small Press Expo (SPX) has announced that the Richmond Public Library was the 2016 recipient of the Small Press Expo Library Gift Program.

This program, the first of its kind in the United States, is an outright gift of graphic novels to the library as selected by the library’s collections specialists, who selected 65 titles comprising 298 individual books.

There was a formal presentation of the books to Scott Firestine, Director of the Richmond Public Library by Small Press Expo Graphic Novel Gift Program Director Catherine Fraas on Saturday, September 10. The presentation was accompanied by special comics related events at the main library branch in downtown Richmond.

The books were selected by the library’s collection staff from the offerings of publishers Fantagraphics, Top Shelf, Drawn & Quarterly, Adhouse Books, Cartoon Books, and Koyama Press, all of whom support this program.

The artist Lucy Bellwood designed a special bookplate that has been placed in all of the books donated by SPX.

SPX’s Graphic Novel Gift Program is an expansion of the philanthropic and charitable endeavors that are part of its corporate charter, and is in addition to SPX’s annual support to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The targets of this program are public and academic library systems in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area as selected by the Small Press Expo.

The goals of this program are:

  • to facilitate the availability of graphic novels to readers of all ages utilizing public and school libraries,
  • to promote learning and literacy through the availability of graphic novels at local libraries, and
  • to provide library systems with additional resources by which they can purchase graphic novels and comics.

SPX will be held Saturday, September 17 from 11am-7pm and Sunday, September 18, 12-6pm at the North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in North Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.

Small Press Expo Announces Prince Georges County Memorial Library System as the Recipient of SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program

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spx-logo-240The Small Press Expo (SPX) has announced that the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is the 2014 recipient of the Small Press Expo Novel Gift Program.

This program is an outright gift of graphic novels to the library as selected by the library’s Collections Specialists, and comprises 334 individual books. Including this gift, the Small Press Expo Graphic Novel Gift Program has provided 1,092 comics and graphic novels to libraries in the Washington, DC area since 2011.

On Saturday, September 6, there will be a formal presentation of the books to the the library by Small Press Expo Executive Director Warren Bernard and Graphic Novel Gift Program Director Catherine Fraas. The event will be held at the Spauldings Branch of the PGMLS.

The books were selected by the library’s collection staff from the offerings of publishers Fantagraphics, Top Shelf, Drawn & Quarterly, Adhouse Books, Toon Books, and Koyama Press, all of whom support this program.

The artist Eleanor Davis designed a special bookplate that has been placed in all of the books donated by SPX.

SPX’s Graphic Novel Gift Program is an expansion of the philanthropic and charitable endeavors that are part of its corporate charter, and is in addition to SPX’s annual support to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The targets of this program are public and academic library systems in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area as selected by the Small Press Expo.

The goals of this program are:

  • Facilitate the availability of graphic novels to readers of all ages utilizing public and school libraries.
  • Promote learning and literacy through the availability of graphic novels at local libraries.
  • Provide library systems with additional resources by which they can purchase graphic novels and comics.

SPX will be held Saturday, September 13 from 11am-7pm EDT and Sunday, September 14, Noon-6pm EDT at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in North Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.

Small Press Expo 2014: Jeff Smith’s Cartoon Books Imprint Added to the Graphic Novel Gift Program

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spx-logo-240The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons, has announced that Jeff Smith’s Cartoon Books publishing company will be joining the publishers participating in the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program.

SPX also has announced that the gift amount has been raised from $5000 to $6000, allowing the selected library system a larger budget to purchase graphic novels for their patrons.

The addition of Cartoon Books to the Graphic Novel Gift Program will allow the selected library system to choose from the entire catalog of Bone books popular with  young readers all over the world.

Cartoon Books join Fantagraphics, Top Shelf, Drawn & Quarterly, Adhouse Books and Koyama Press as publishers from which collections managers can order books for this program.

The Graphic Novel Gift Program is an outright gift of graphic novels to a local library. The books are chosen by the receiving library’s Collections Specialist. The targets of this program are public and academic library systems in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area as selected by the Small Press Expo Executive Committee.

The goals of the program are:

  • Facilitate the availability of graphic novels to readers of all ages utilizing public and school libraries.
  • Promote learning and literacy through the availability of graphic novels at local libraries.
  • Provide library systems with additional resources by which they can purchase graphic novels and comics.

The Graphic Novel Gift Program is the first of its kind to help put graphic novels onto the shelves of public libraries. It is an expansion of the philanthropic and charitable endeavors that are part of its corporate charter, and is in addition to SPX’s annual support to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and SPX’s support of the Library of Congress National Book Festival.

SPX will be held Saturday, September 13th from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday, September 14th 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $15 for Saturday only, $10 for Sunday only, and $20 for both days.

Small Press Expo Announces the District of Columbia Public Library as the 2013 Recipient of the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program

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The Small Press Expo, the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce that the District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) is the 2013 recipient of the Small Press Expo Library Gift Program.

This program is an outright gift of graphic novels to the library as selected by the library’s Collections Specialist, who selected 63 titles comprising 251 individual books. These books will be distributed to the Rosedale and William O. Lockridge/Bellevue branches.

Today there was a formal presentation of the books to the library by Small Press Expo Executive Director Warren Bernard. The event was held at the  Rosedale Neighborhood Library.

Ginnie Cooper, chief librarian for the DC Public Library said in a press release:

The library takes pride in offering the books that people want at their library. With the growing popularity of graphic novels, this gift allows District residents the opportunity to discover new titles and characters at their Library.  We cannot thank the Small Book Expo enough for this donation.

Bernard added:

It is with pleasure that Small Press Expo adds to the graphic novel collection of the DC Public Library. We are thrilled at the selections made by their collections staff and we know that the readers will enjoy them. We are especially proud that these books will find their way the readers of all ages who normally would not have a chance to see this great work being done in the graphic novel field.

The books were selected by the library’s collection staff from the offerings of publishers Fantagraphics, Top Shelf, Drawn & Quarterly, Adhouse Books and Koyama Press, all of whom support this program.

Artist and illustrator Kali Ciesemier designed a special bookplate that has been placed in all of the books donated by SPX.

Left to right: Elissa Miller – Associate Director Collections, Linnea Hegarty – Executive Director DC Public Library Foundation, Warren Bernard – Executive Director Small Press Expo, Wendy Lukehart – Collections Coordinator, Ginnie Cooper – Chief Librarian DC Public Library

SPX’s Graphic Novel Gift Program is an expansion of the philanthropic and charitable endeavors that are part of its corporate charter, and is in addition to SPX’s annual support to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The targets of this program are public and academic library systems in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area as selected by the Small Press Expo.

The goals of this program are:

  • Facilitate the availability of graphic novels to readers of all ages utilizing public and school libraries.
  • Promote learning and literacy through the availability of graphic novels at local libraries.
  • Provide library systems with additional resources by which they can purchase graphic novels and comics.

SPX will be held Saturday, September 14 from 11am-7pm and Sunday, September 15, 12-6pm at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in North Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.

SPX Acquires the Dean Haspiel Collection and Other Mini-Comics for the Small Press Expo Collection at the Library of Congress

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The Small Press Expo has announced that Dean Haspiel has donated his mini-comic collection to the Small Press Expo Collection at the Library of Congress.  The collection is comprised of over 600 mini-comics spanning over 15 years.  Among the collection’s rare holdings are mini-comics by Raina Telgemeier, Charles Burns, Sara Varon, Nick Abadzis, Kevin Huizenga, Ron Rege, Alex Robinson, Brian Ralph, Scott Morse, Leela Corman, Paul Hornschemeier, and others, including a rare promotional mini-comic for Craig Thompson’s Blankets and two limited edition mini-comics of political cartoons by Jeff Smith of Bone fame.

Haspiel had to say:

I can’t think of a more honorable home for my massive mini-comics collection than the Library of Congress. I’d like to publicly thank and commend Warren Bernard, Chris Oarr, Karon Flage, Greg McElhatton, Greg Bennett, Eden Miller, the late Jeff Alexander, and the rest of the SPX gang for years of allowing me to discover and enjoy so many diamonds in the rough that turn into comix gold.

This is on top of the previous donation of mini-comics and tabloid newspapers at least year’s show.  Over 120 mini-comics, tabloid comics and graphic novels have been added so far.  The Library of Congress has sent many of these for long term preservation.

Georgia Higley, head curator of the Serial and Government Publications Division of the LIbrary of Congress, has this to say:

A wealth of creativity was donated to the Library in this first year of the SPX-LC agreement.  I was impressed with the diversity of subject matter, formats, and artistic styles represented by this year’s comic book donations.  To an even greater extent I was impressed with the generosity of the creators and publishers who willingly gave their work to us for safekeeping.   From the tiny two-inch square mini-comic to the oversize hardback and from the promising newcomer to the long-established publisher, it’s obvious that the independent comic book is alive and well and now is represented at the Library of Congress.  We look forward to next year!

This is a first of it’s kind partnership to preserve the legacy of indie comics and focuses on limited edition mini-comics, the exact type of works you’d see at the SPX show.

Announcing the First Recipient of the Small Press Expo Graphic Novel Gift Program

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Official Press Release

Announcing the First Recipient of the Small Press Expo Graphic Novel Gift Program

Bethesda, Maryland; August 24, 2011 – The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce that the Montgomery County Public Library (MCPL) of Montgomery County, Maryland is the first recipient of the Small Press Expo Graphic Novel Gift Program.

MCPL was chosen this year as SPX has been held in Montgomery County, Maryland since the first Small Press Expo in 1994. This new program is an outright gift of graphic novels to MCPL as selected by an MCPL Collection Specialist, who selected 15 titles, comprising 230 individual books to distribute to 20 MCPL branches.

“Montgomery County Public Libraries is pleased to be the first recipient of the new Small Press Expo Library Gift Program.  This is an example of how local businesses can support our libraries during these difficult economic times,” said Parker Hamilton, MCPL director.

On September 6 at 11am the press is invited to a formal presentation of the books to Parker Hamilton the MCPL Director by Small Press Expo Executive Director Warren Bernard. The event will be held at the the Rockville Memorial Library located at 21 Maryland Avenue Rockville, Maryland 20850.

This new program by SPX is an expansion of the philanthropic and charitable endeavors that are part of its corporate charter, and is in addition to SPX’s annual support to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The targets of this program are public and academic library systems in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area as selected by the Small Press Expo.

The goals of this new program are:

– Facilitate the availability of graphic novels to readers of all ages utilizing public and school libraries.

– Promote learning and literacy through the availability of graphic novels at local libraries.

– Provide library systems with additional resources by which they can purchase graphic novels and comics.

The illustrator and author Lilli Carre designed a special bookplate that will be placed on all of the books donated by SPX. To see the book plate and for more information on the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program, go to http://www.spxpo.com/graphic-novel-gift-program.

SPX will be held Saturday, September 10 from 11am-7pm and Sunday, September 11, 12-6pm at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.

For more information on the Small Press Expo, please visit http://www.spxpo.com.