Library Guests Celebrate Pop Culture at Bartram Trail Public Library Comic Con
On Saturday, June 3rd, the Bartram Trail Public Library in St. Johns FL hosted their very own Comic Con. The convention ran from 10 AM - 12 PM and drew such a large crowd that the parking lot was quickly filled, leaving some patrons to park on the side of Davis Pond Blvd.
The Bartram Trail Public Library sign in St. Johns FL, promoting the library's Comic Con event on Saturday, Jun. 3 (Photo: Mal Carney)
This was the third year the Bartram Trail Library organized this event. The convention is annual and takes place on the first Saturday of each June.
Bartram Trail Comic Con featured local artists, tabletop gaming, arts and crafts, Super Smash Bros gaming on a large projector, photo ops with Star Wars cosplayers, and other activities centered around literature and pop culture.
This convention heavily appealed to a local, family-friendly crowd. Many of the guests were families with young children. Like other pop culture convention (i.e. MegaCon, San Diego Comic Con, etc.) many guests attended Bartram Trail Comic Con in costume. Children and adults alike dressed as their favorite fictional characters. Harry Potter, Han Solo, superheroes, and Stormtroopers were just a few of the pop culture icons parading through the aisles.
A life-size cutout of the Marvel character, Captain America, at the Bartram Trail Public Library Comic Con. Saturday, Jun. 3 (Photo: Mal Carney)
Big Daddy Games, a game shop located in the World Golf Village, was also in attendance. The shop sold trading cards, tabletop games, and other merchandise at the convention. Big Daddy Games also distributed coupons for their shop and drink koozies with their shop’s logo emblazoned on the front.
The library was decked out with decorations. Life-size cutouts of Marvel superheroes and Harry Potter characters were available for patrons to pose for photos in front of. Posters, banners, and figures were also placed around the library.
Harry Potter banners decorating the Bartram Trail Public Library during their Comic Con event on Saturday, Jan. 3 (Photo: Mal Carney)
Bartram Trail Public Library had over 500 visitors during Comic Con. From the large turnout, it was clear that the community enjoyed the event. Libraries play an important role in communities and provide valuable resources and programs for patrons of all ages.
State libraries across Ohio have volunteers available to assist patrons in developing computer and internet literacy thanks to the AmeriCorps-funded program, Guiding Ohio Online. Meigs County Library in Ohio has benefited from this program for three years.
Crittenden County library in Kentucky offers “free Wi-Fi, eBooks and eMagazines” to guests thanks to funding from Education Rate, a federal program which “provides discounts on Internet, telecommunications, and networking equipment for schools and public libraries.”
Libraries in San Francisco offer homeless people free hot showers via Lava Mae’s repurposed bathroom on wheels.
Locally, in 2012 St. Johns Public libraries received about $50,500 in donations after state funding dropped 82% from 2007 to 2012.
“Libraries have always provided programs and resources that spark interests for children to explore,” said Nina Lindsay, ALSC Vice-President/President-elect, in an ALSC press release announcing the recipients of the Strengthening Communities Through Libraries minigrants. “Now, more than ever, our young people need a space to experiment with new learning in a place that allows them to go at their own pace and follow their interests as deeply as they wish.”
The St. Johns County Public Library System website has information on how you can join Friends of the Library, a volunteer non-profit group. Each library branch in the county has their own Friends of the Library organization, and these groups assist their perspective libraries by helping to raise funds for various purposes and by raising awareness for library events. The St. Johns County Public Library System website also information on becoming a library volunteer. Volunteers help their libraries in multiple ways, from completing shelving and book processing to assisting at library events.
Another way to help your local library is to attend library events. Large patron turnout for library events shows community interest and lets the people who make these events happen feel appreciated. St. Johns County Public Library System has an event directory on their website. Make attending library events a regular part of your schedule.
Above the doorway of the Bartram Trail Public Library. Saturday, Jan. 3 (Photo: Mal Carney)
For other ideas on supporting your local library, visit your branch library website. St. Johns County residents can visit www.sjcpls.org and select their library from the branches tab. If you live outside St. Johns County, googling “public library” plus the name of your county or town will bring up the library closest to you.
When was the last time you visited a public library? What was the reason for your visit? Share your comments with @Mals_content on Twitter and Instagram.
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