Novel Con slated for Centre County Library

BELLEFONTE — Novel Con is returning to Centre County Library.

What is Novel Con? The library’s staff has a mission to try to reach a community of potential library users who may not be aware of the valuable and exclusive resources available to them. Novel — ‘New Opportunities to Value and Explore your Library’ — Con will show off some of these services, which are offered for free to the public. The name and idea are based on the popular ‘comic con’ events held across the country.

The free, family-friendly Novel Com takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 5, at the library, 200 N. Allegheny St. in Bellefonte.

Comic conventions originally showcased comic books, science fiction/fantasy, film/television and other arts, but now there are elements of anime, horror, animation, collectible card games, video games and more. The library’s event coincides with the North American comic book industry’s Free Comic Book Day, and Jake’s Cards and Games in Bellefonte will be providing free comics.

“The library is so much more than stacks of books,’ said library assistant Lisa Shaffer. ‘We want to engage younger people to come in and see what we are about.”

“Last year, our emphasis was on a trivia workshop,” said Laura Sarge, youth programming and outreach librarian. “But this year, we want to feature things that will support the visitors’ fandom and interests. We want to reach people who may not be aware of how the library can support their interests.

“There is so much that goes on here, from two book clubs, a chess club and more. There is also a film discussion group now and they will be discussing ‘The Incredibles’ at the next meeting. You can even check out a ukulele at the library.”

A cosplay contest will be part of the day, with three age divisions: kids up to age 11, teens ages 12 to 17 and adults 18 and older.

Participants must register at the registration table in the Community Room between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The library staff reminds participants that no projectile weapons, realistic firearms or anything that could injure someone is allowed. Weapons can be made of foam, cardboard or plastic. The convention encompasses all ages, so respect of library patrons and other cosplayers regarding behavior and choice of clothing is expected.

The con staff will take pictures of contestants dressed as their favorite characters to show off to the in-house judges. The judges will use a rubric and the cosplayers with the most points in each age division will win prizes.

All the photos will be posted to the library’s Facebook page in an album, too, and by 5 p.m. Monday, May 7, the photo with the most likes will win the ‘Facebook Frenzy Prize.’ The photos also will be posted in the library, and the photo with the most votes by 4 p.m. Saturday, May 12, will take home the ‘Patron Approved Prize.’

“I’m not sure yet how we’ll be dressed, but we will be in costumes,” said Sarge of the staff.

Novel Con attendees also can compete in a trivia game, but will need to download the free app Kahoot to participate. The trivia board at the circulation desk will post trivia category times.

At 1:30 p.m., a Skype session will be held in the Community Room with Victoria Jamieson, the author of the award-winning graphic novel, ‘All’s Faire in Middle School.’ Jamieson will share information about her writing and illustrating process.

Some of the groups that will have tables at Novel Con include the PSU club Alliance of Heroic Hearts, with child-focused costumes, State College Area Roller Derby, Jake’s Cards and Games, Otaku Underground, Hot Topic, Grimpressions by Phil Mertz, Stew Stunes, Vanity Designs, caricature drawings by Seth Young and more.

Sponsors include TeeFury, M&M Copy Service, Hot Topic of the Nittany Mall, Cool Beans, Dam Donuts, Little Mama’s Pizza and Pizza Mia.