Do you miss going to cons and hanging out with all your fandom friends? Well, have no fear! The Aurora Public Library District’s (APLD) CAPE Con is here!
August 9-14, APLD will present CAPE Con, a week-long comic and fandom convention with events for all ages. This year, we’ll celebrate all things fan-centric virtually and in person at all APLD locations! We even have a 21+ event at McCarty Mills Taproom! For more details, visit our CAPE Con page: aurorapubliclibrary.org/capecon.
You might be wondering, “Why is there a comic convention at the Library, of all places?” What do libraries and comics even have in common? Well, for starters, Barbara Gordon, AKA Batgirl and the Oracle, is a librarian! The New York Public Library is the setting for several important scenes in the manga/anime, “Banana Fish.” But there’s more to the connection than comics simply incorporating librarians and libraries into their stories: Libraries and comics both build creativity, job skills, and literacy in the real world.
Creativity
Whether it is through art programs such as DIY Pokémon: Fakémon! (8/14) or making something in the Makerspace, APLD is the place to get creative. Comics inspire individuals to create: Cosplayers find innovative ways to redesign their favorite characters’ looks. (See what other cosplayers have been working on during our Cosplay Roundtable and Gatheringon 8/14.)
Job Skills
The creativity that libraries and comics encourage even can lead to a job. Fanart has been integral to some artists’ careers, such as our three panelists in Artist Panel: Fanart! (8/9). Kids who attend library tech programs or check out tech books might grow up to be game developers like Roblox designer ZolarKeth, who will be speaking during the hybrid program, Behind the Game: ZolarKeth and Roblox (8/14).
Literacy
Similar to libraries, comics help build literacy. “Comics have a way of literally showing the world and appealing to people who might not always be drawn to more traditional books,” said Santori Library’s Teen Librarian and host of one of CAPE Con’s events, Phoebe Metz. Be sure to pick up your free comic book on Free Comic Book Day (8/14) at any APLD location to foster your love of reading!)
Although you enjoy comic book media, you boost your cultural literacy, too. Spitting off when Wonder Woman first appeared in All Star Comics #8 isn’t just for fun: There are academic journals such as “The Journal of Popular Culture” that feature peer-reviewed works on comics! Put your own comic book and cultural literacy to the test by participating in the virtual event, DIY Trivia: Comics and Superheroes (8/10).
Libraries and comics have a lot in common. They help creativity, job skills and literacy grow. But they just have fun! So come join us at CAPE Con for a great, week-long celebration, whether it’s virtually, in person, or both!
Please note that registration is required for certain CAPE Con events. For more information and to register for programs, please visit our Cape Con page: aurorapubliclibrary.org/capecon or events page: aurorapubliclibrary.org/events.