The best answer to the issue of censorship is always a good collection development policy. A good collection development policy will spell out the criteria by which you have selected the materials to be on your shelves. If materials are challenged you can point out the fact that you indeed have consulted the reviews and the materials selected were done so because they were judged to be of value to your collection. If a process is in place, then anyone that wants to have materials censored will have to go through that process. The materials will have a chance to be judged fairly.

It is important to select carefully, however. While every book may have a place somewhere, not every book will have a place in your library or more particularly in your young adult or children's section.

An important thing to keep in mind when selecting Graphic Novels in particular is that, as many Graphic Novel advocates are adamant in pointing out, Graphic Novel is a format not a genre. Just like there are novels for all sorts of different age groups, there are graphic novels that are written for children, and some for adults.

 It is a common mistake to think that graphic novels are 'just for kids'. In fact, according to a recent reader's survey by Diamond Comics, the largest distributor of comics in the U.S., the average age of comics readers is 29. The products reflect that. This is not to say that they aren't a slew of great Graphic Novels for Young Adults. In fact, though there are graphic novels that are strictly adults-only, most graphic novels will be appropriate for a young adult collection.

Things do get slightly more complicated when it comes the Japanese comic-novels known as Manga. Cultural differences will come up in these novels. While you'd never imagine ever seeing Superman or Wonder Women strip their clothes off in an American comic, semi-nude or mostly nude figures are not as frowned upon in Japan. Also, in Japan the definitions of children's and adult's entertainments are more ambiguous than in the US, for example some types of sexual humor, often at the expense of adult dignity, are found in some works written for children. While some Manga may get a little racy, most of it is not anything that a teen couldn't handle. Paradoxically enough, full nudity is very much frowned upon in Japanese culture and avoiding actually explicitly sexual Manga is easy as they often are special product lines put out by subsidiaries of larger companies. They are clearly labelled. It is an issue that it is important to be aware of when collecting these issues, but you shouldn't let it stop you.

The most important thing to remember about Graphic Novels is to judge them by the same kind of criteria as you would any other part of your collection. They contain everything a novel would, including the parts that some people will object to. Unfortunately for graphic novels, people sometime react more strongly to visuals than to words. Also, the objectionable parts may be easier to spot with this genre. But teens and others love these books, and there inclusion can't help but make your library better serve your community. Follow the policies, and place graphic novels in the section most appropriate. You will be fine.