Library worker and cartoonist Fricas’s semi-autobiographical graphic novel debut, Checked Out (Drawn & Quarterly, out now), features a queer 20-something library page, unlucky in love, whose own graphic novel ambitions involve a WWI carrier pigeon. “Bibliophiles and indie comics fans will take this jagged yet joyful bildungsroman straight to heart,” says PW’s review of the charming coming-of-age tale. The cartoonist shared some of the challenges and magic that she’s found working in the library world, and her delight in what she calls a certain “folk history innuendo” about librarians.
What’s the most meaningful aspect of working in a library?
I don’t mean to be corny, but it’s being around these fierce fighting librarians, particularly now. Libraries are underfunded, they’re understaffed, and librarians are overworked and underpaid. But they’re doing incredible things to provide access to information throughout all of this enduring change. They’re preserving cultural memory. Libraries offer spaces to convene and hold conversations, giving us the opportunity to depart from the algorithm, allowing us to make connections for ourselves.
What is it you do at the library?
First, I consider myself a cartoonist and comics editor. But for my day job I work in a library as an events programming coordinator. I help plan, set up, and execute author talks and panel discussions, hosting workshops and reading groups, all the nuts-and-bolts stuff.
We have a book conservation studio at my library. It’s always fun to get up close to that. I feature some behind-the-scenes library fetishist stuff in Checked Out, like rubber stamps and an elevator with an antique door that closes automatically.
Any thoughts on the current spike in book bans?
Book bans are old, dusty tactics used by extremist groups, like out of chapter one of Authoritarianism for Dummies. But, they are incredibly efficient in their attacks. The bans are meant to damage our morale. There’s an intimidation element at play: censors seem to not only be saying, don’t read this, but don’t write this, too.
Do you have a good secret-life-of-librarians type of anecdote to share?
I feel I shouldn’t be revealing any of their secrets! But it’s funny: people are always going for that little folk history innuendo of the sexy librarian. I do like to play with those a bit: the stereotype of the librarian as a virgin who’s all business by day and then a sex kitten at home. There’s still something salacious that happens when you tell people you work in a library.
