Isabelle Peterson ‘28
Staff Writer
The LITS Books Display, softly illuminated by the towering Chihuly sculpture at the center of Williston Library’s atrium, has come to form a constant presence in the college experience of many. February’s display featured a vibrantly colored exhibit that focused on graphic novels and comics made by Black creators. Curious to learn more about the exhibit, Mount Holyoke News reached out to the LITS book display team, who were kind enough to respond to our questions via email. As you peruse this article, take note of some wonderful books to break up the monotony of late winter, learn more about the inner workings of LITS and maybe even find yourself inspired to curate a display of your own!
Q: When did you first have the idea for this exhibit? How long did it take to decide which books to include in the display?
A: We have a few tentpole displays that we plan for annually, and Black History Month is one of those, so we’re always collecting ideas that we can use in the future. One early inspiration for Black Ink is the excellent anthology “It’s Life As I See It,” which collects work by black cartoonists in Chicago between 1940 and 1980 and showcases the longevity and range of Black cartooning. We first had the idea a couple of years ago, but were still early in our collecting efforts in this area. This year we felt like we had a strong selection of titles that we could include, and we’re always eager to highlight areas of the collection that may be less expected, like graphic novels and comics.
LITS librarians and professional staff selected titles for this display over the course of a couple of weeks. Selection time can vary depending on the theme and whether we are co-creating the display with a student organization or campus partner, which we love to do! A good rule of thumb is to expect 6 weeks of work from the initial idea to the display being set up.
Q: Are there any specific books or authors you’d like to highlight?
A: Our table poster features art from “Nubia: Real One,” by L.L. McKinney and Robyn Smith (a Hampshire alum!), which is a beautiful exploration of Nubia, an underdeveloped figure in the Wonder Woman canon. We also have the graphic novel adaptation of “Parable of the Sower,” this year’s Common Read, on display!
Q: How are graphic novels incorporated into the College’s library system?
A: As a liberal arts college … we collect materials across a wide variety of genres and disciplines, and this includes graphic novels, comics, and manga, which are frequently used in classes and research. In line with the College’s mission, we strive to cultivate a collection that encompasses diverse voices, particularly from identities that have historically been underrepresented in academia.
Many graphic novels and comics in the fiction category are shelved under call number PN6700 (those are in the 5 south stacks here at MHC). Nonfiction titles would be classified in their specific subject area, and titles for children or young adults would be classified in the PZ call number ranges (those are in the 7 north stacks here at MHC). If you’re not sure where to look, ask a LITS staffer!
Q: Finally, are there any upcoming releases by authors within this exhibit, or other black graphic novelists/cartoonists that you’re looking forward to?
A: Two recent publications we have our eye on are “Nubia: Too Real,” the sequel to the above mentioned “Nubia: Real One” and a more adult-focused graphic memoir titled “We All Got Something,” by Lawrence Liddell, author of “Blackward.”
And somewhat further out: Ebony Flowers, whose beautiful comics collection “Hot Comb” is on display, has a new graphic novel in the works titled “Baltimore Brownfield,” slated for publication in 2027, about memory, intergenerational connection, and gentrification in a fictionalized Baltimore neighborhood.
Answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Angelina Godinez ’28 contributed fact-checking.