Graphic Novels

Fixed field - 008|24
Classification
     Adult
     Teen
     Juvenile
09X Call number
1XX Main entry
245 |n |p Title format for series/part
5XX General notes

590 Intellectual level verification note
6XX Subject headings
7XX Added Entries
Item Entry & Processing

EPL has graphic novels for all audiences, but there will be a further distinction between the juvenile graphic novel collection and the juvenile graphic nonfiction collection. The juvenile graphic novel collection includes fictional stories presented in a sequential, comic style (including comic strips), while the juvenile graphic nonfiction collection contains nonfiction works such as biographies, memoirs, and facts, presented in a paneled, comic style.

Examples of juvenile graphic novels include: Big Nate, Dog Man, Garfield, and Minecraft: The Manga.

Examples of juvenile graphic nonfiction include: Extra Large, Science Comics: Crows, The Digestive System: A Tour Through Your Guts, and Muhammad Najem, War Reporter: How One Boy Put the Spotlight on Syria.

Note: Before 2026, EPL classified collections of cartoons, caricatures, and comic strips for children in J 741.5. Series like Big Nate and Garfield, despite featuring fictional characters, were classified as nonfiction. As of August 2026 these works are classified as juvenile graphic novels.

For information on light novels, see Fiction, Light Novels vs Graphic Novels.

Fixed Field - Nature of Contents

008|24 = 6 for Graphic novels and graphic nonfiction.

Classification of Graphic Novels & Manga

Existing publisher rating schemes will be used as the basis for classification of graphic novels and manga in the appropriate collection based on the intellectual level of the content (i.e., adult, teen or juvenile).
Effective Dec. 20, 2023 books in series with a different audience rating will be classified according to the rating that appears on the book. This may mean some series will have volumes appearing in the teen and adult collections or in the juvenile and teen collections. Cataloguers ensure that the 521 data is accurate. No additional note is required.

Adult classification

Marvel graphic novels rated Parental Advisory (15 and up) and MAX: Explicit Content
DC graphic novels rated T+ - Teen Plus (16 and up) and M - Mature (18 and up)
Kodansha manga rated OT Older Teen (16 and up) and M - Mature (18 and up)
Tokyopop manga rated OT - Older Teen Age 16+ and M - Mature Ages 18+
Viz manga rated T+ - Older Teen and M - Mature
Yen Press rated OT - Older Teen Age 16+ and M - Mature Ages 18+
Image Comics rated T+ Teen Plus - 16 and up and M - Mature Ages 18+
Seven Seas Entertainment - Older Teen - 15+

Teen classification

Marvel graphic novels rated T+ Teens and up (13 and up)
DC graphic novels rated T – Teen (12 and up)
Kodasha manga rated T - Teen (13 and up)
Tokyopop manga rated T – Teen Age 13+
Viz manga rated T for Teen
Yen Press rated T – Teen Age 13+
Image Comics T for Teen - 12 and up
Seven Seas Entertainment - Teen - 13+

Juvenile classification

Marvel graphic novels rated All Ages and A (9 and up)
DC graphic novels rated E – Everyone
Kodansha manga Y -- All ages
Tokyopop manga rated A – All Ages and Y – Youth Age 10+
Viz manga rated A for All Ages
Yen Press rated A for All Ages/Readers
Image Comics E for Everyone - all ages
For titles from other publishers, used the standard EPL guidelines for classification of print to determine the appropriate graphic novel classification:
- Adult: 17+ years
- Teen: 13-16 years
- Juvenile: 8-12 years
If the classification has been re-evaluated or requires re-evaluation, add a local note stating the intellectual level has been verified, see 590, 5XX General Notes.
In rare cases, picture books or easy readers in graphic novel form are added to the collection. These titles are classed as E books and shelved as such. These items are not labelled as graphic novels, but have a 650 Graphic novels subject heading in the bibliographic record.
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09X Call Number

Do NOT follow classification instructions given in DDC (Dewey Decimal classification).
Fictional graphic novels in all languages are classified as fiction according to the intellectual level (adult, juvenile (E and J), or teen, e.g. ABC, E ABC, J ABC, TEEN ABC, French ABC.
Graphic nonfiction is classified in the appropriate subject area in Dewey classification, e.g.,
- 092 \\ $aTEEN 305.895 LYF LYF
  100 \\ $aLyfoung, Vicky.
  245 10 $aHmong :$ba graphic history /$cVicky Lyfoung ; translated by Kao-Ly Yang.
- 092 \\ $aTEEN 741.51 ROS
  100 \\ $aRoss, Edward.
  245 10 $aGraphic novel builder :$bthe illustrated guide to making your own comics /$cEdward Ross ; intro by Alice Oseman.
For manga and graphic novels associated with a 100 personal name, cutter according to the creator's last name, e.g.,
- 099 \\ $aADA v.1
  100 1\ $aAdachi, Toka.
  245 10 $aNoragami stray god.$n1 /$cAdachitoka ; translator, Alethea Nibley & Athena Nibley ; lettering, Lys Blakeslee.
For manga and graphic novels associated with a 110 corporate body, cutter according to the title of the series, e.g.,
- 099 \\ $aTEEN SHU v.1
  110 2\ $aPeach-Pit (Group)
  245 10 $aShugo chara chan!$n1 /$c[created by Peach-Pit ; manga by Naphtalene Mizushima [and others]; translator, Satsuki Yamashita ; [...]
Collections of teen and adult cartoons, caricatures, comic strips, etc. will continue to be classified in 741.5/741.56, e.g.,
- 092 \\ $a741.56973 WAT
  100 1\ $aWatterson, Bill.
  245 10 $aCalvin and Hobbes /$cby Bill Watterson.
- 092 \\ $a741.56973 SCH
  100 1\ $aSchulz, Charles M.$q(Charles Monroe),$d1922-2000.
  245 10 $aPeanuts :$bthe complete Peanuts.$n1979-1980 /$cby Charles M. Schulz.
There are some comic strips re-formatted as juvenile novels with text and liberal use of illustrations, e.g. Big Nate strikes again. Class as juvenile fiction.
09X construction and spine label numbering should reflect the title page as the chief source of information followed by the verso, the cover (incl. spine), and finally the 490/830 series statement $v. Inclusion of number/part/book/volume info in the 245 is preferred.
- 099 \\ $aJ PIL v.13
  100 1\ $aPilkey, Dav,$d1966-
  245 10 $a Dog Man.$pBig Jim begins /$cwritten and illustrated by Dav Pilkey as George Beard and Harold Hutchins ; with color by Jose Garibaldi [...]
  246 1 $iAt head of title:$aTreehouse Comix proudly presents, Dog Man.$pBig Jim begins
  246 30 $aBig Jim begins
  490 1\ $aDog Man ;$v[13]
  830 \0 $aDog Man ;$v[13]
- 099 \\ $aTEEN VAN v.3
  100 1\ $aVan Lente, Fred.
  245 10 $aMarvel zombies.$n3 /$cwriter, Fred Van Lente ; artist, Kev Walker ; colorist, Jean-Francois Beaulieu ; letterer, V.C.'s Rus Wooton.
  246 30 $aZombies.$n3
- 099 \\ $aPOW v.0
  100 1\ $aPowell, Eric.
  245 14 $aThe Goon in Rough stuff /$cEric Powell; colors by Dave Stewart; designer, Amy Arendt.
  246 30 $aRough stuff
  246 18 $aGoon.$n0,$pRough stuff
- 099 \\ $aJ SON bk. 1
  245 00 $aSonic the Hedgehog
  490 1\ $aSonic legacy series ;$vbk. 1
  830 \0 $aSonic legacy series ;$vbk.1
For omnibus versions, include original volume information in the call number, i.e. not the omnibus volume numbering. Do not use omnibus volume information in the call number unless it is the only volume information provided. Omnibus volume information should be added as 246s, e.g.
- 099 \\ $aJ GOS v.10-12
  245 10 $aAsterix.$n[Collecting books 10, 11, & 12] /$cwritten by René Goscinny ; illustrated by Albert Uderzo ; translation, Joe Johnson ; lettering, Bryan Senka.
  246 3\ $aAsterix omnibus.$nVolume four
  246 3\ $aAsterix omnibus.$nVolume 4
  505 0\ $abk. 10. Asterix the legionary -- bk. 11. Asterix and the chieftain's shield -- bk. 12. Asterix at the Olympic Games.
  740 02 $aAsterix the legionary.
  740 02 $aAsterix and the chieftain's shield.
  740 02 $aAsterix at the Olympic Games.

NOTE: Existing copies will not be relabelled.

Use the following guidelines to determine the designation that will precede the number. Do not include a space following the abbreviation for the volume/number part:
If the item uses the terms “Volume”, “vol.” or “v.”: label with “v.” plus the number, e.g.
099 \ $aTAK v.1
If the item uses the term: “number” or “no.”: label with: “no.” plus the number, e.g.
099 \ $aTAK no.1
If the item uses the term: “part” or “pt.”: label with: “pt.” plus the number, e.g.
099 \ $aTAK pt.1
If the number appears with only a # (hash mark) preceding it: label with “no.” plus the number, e.g.
099 \ $aTAK no.1
If the number appears with no designation: label with: “v.” plus the number, e.g.
099 \ $aTAK v.1
Do not include a subfield code that denotes a volume in the 092 or 099 (i.e. |z)
Do not include a subfield code in the item record call number field (i.e. |z)
Do not place a box around the volume on the IP form, e.g.
099 \ $aTEEN SMI v.1
Item Call number field: TEEN SMI v.1
IP Form: TEEN SMI v.1

1XX Main Entry

In cases where the main entry/authorized access point is for a personal name, cutter according to the creator's last name
In cases where the main entry/authorized access point is for a corporate body, cutter according to the title of the series, e.g.,
- Bob Powell’s Complete Cave Girl / illustrated by Bob Powell ; written by Gardner Fox ; introduction by etc.
  Authorized access point: Powell, Bob, 1916-1967.

Choose the appropriate main entry for each volume and cutter to agree with the main entry, e.g.
- Soldier Zero by Paul Cornell (Vol. 1)
  100 1\ $aCornell, Paul
  Cutter: COR
- Soldier Zero by Dan Abnett (Vol. 2)
  100 1\ $aAbnett, Dan
  Cutter: ABN
Add volume number after cutter in call number even if cutter varies from volume to volume.

245 |n |p Title Format for Series/part

Use individual title records for each part of a series, e.g. 245 $aCase closed.$nVolume1, i.e. do not catalogue as a multi-volume set.
Do not abbreviate words being transcribed in 245, use volume information as given on the chief source of information, e.g. Part 1, Pt. 1, P. 1, etc.

5XX General Notes

Do not use the 500 notes: A graphic novel, A graphic story or Graphic short stories. Instead use LCSH 650: Graphic novels (see below)
Make the appropriate 500 notes for genre and Canadian creator in fictional graphic novels, see Print Materials Fiction Genres
If a phrase “Parental advisory” (or similar) appears on an item, use as a quoted note only if necessary to explain the classification, i.e. why a graphic novel is classified as adult not Teen. Retain a correct 521 audience field note if in a derived record; prefer the use of a 500 quoted note for original records, e.g.
- 500 \\ $a“Parental advisory”--Jkt.

590 Note for Intellectual Level Verification

Add a note if the classification has been re-evaluated or if the juvenile materials selector has been involved in determining the classification so that cataloguers (and vendors) will not deviate from the audience preference selected, e.g.
- 590 \\ $aIntellectual level verified by EPL, Oct 26, 2016

6XX Subject Headings

Ensure that a 65X field for graphic novels is applied to all graphic novels (fiction and nonfiction, adult, teen or juvenile). This can include:
- 650 $aGraphic novels [may be subdivided geographically, e.g. Graphic novels$zCanada but DO NOT subdivide by $vJuvenile fiction or $vJuvenile literature]
- 655 $aGraphic novels$2lcgft
Inclusion of the $zGeographic subdivision is optional (effective Dec. 20, 2023).
Add all other 6XX appropriate subject headings as required.

7XX Added Entries

For all graphic novels, make added entries for all types of illustrator(s), e.g. pencillers, artists, inkers, colorists, etc.; follow EPL policy of tracing three of a type, if more than three, only the first of a list will be given an added entry.
Do not trace illustrator if responsible for cover art only; if in doubt as to the contribution of a listed “illustrator”, record name in 245 but do not make added entry.

Item Entry & Processing

All fiction graphic novels receive a graphic novel collection label according to the intellectual level: adult, teen, or juvenile. Circle GN on IP form.

EXCEPTIONS: Do not affix a juvenile graphic novel label to "Toon Books" (Easy Readers in graphic novel format).

For all French fiction graphic novels, affix the French graphic novels label above the spine label. Circle GN on IP form as needed.
These labels will be applied to all French fiction graphic novels with a 650 Graphic novels... or 655 Graphic novels... heading in the bibliographic record, regardless of audience level.
For English graphic nonfiction, affix a graphic nonfiction label above the spine label. This does not apply to collections of fictional comic strips classified in 741.5 (e.g. Peanuts), but it may apply to other graphic nonfiction works classified in 741.5, e.g.,
- 092 \\ $aJ 741.597 TEL
  100 1\ $aTelgemeier, Raina.
  245 10 $aFacing feelings: $binside the world of Raina Telgemeier
- 092 \\ $a741.5973 MIL
  100 1\ $aMiller, Frank,$d1957-
  245 10 $aPush the wall :$bmy life, writing, drawing, and the art of storytelling /$cFrank Miller.
These works are shelved in the nonfiction collection. (Effective January, 2018)

Do not assign genre or affix genre labels to graphic novels (Effective January 2025).
Affix a “Canadian” label to fiction graphic novels if applicable, circle C on IP form.

Revised: July 23, 2026

Contents

Definition