AVCON

The annual Adelaide Anime and Video Game Convention was held this last weekend (July 25-26), making a move from the grounds of Adelaide University to a new venue: The Adelaide Convention Centre. And for the first time Public Libraries SA had a presence at the event, with staff from Tea Tree Gully, Onkaparinga and Holdfast Bay, amongst others, operating a booth promoting library services for youth.  It was surprising to learn just how few people realize that libraries have collections of Manga, Western Graphic Novels, Anime DVDs and videogames available for loan.

In addition to promoting the library collections through a graphic novel display and Play Station games, a competition was held with first prize being a $100.00 gift voucher for Pulp Fiction Comics.

 As a fan of Manga and Anime, I can honestly say that this is a great event. There are talks on costume making, a forum with representatives from Madman Entertainment, CosPlay (Costume) competitions, Video Game Tournaments and special screenings of new release Anime.

 It was great to get out there and promote library services to this enormous untapped audience.

 See you there NEXT YEAR!!!

 Stephen Radlett

(Known on the Day as Athrun Zala, ZAFT Special Forces from the Anime Gundam Seed)