Library booths at Comic-Cons, anime expos, and other pop culture events are full of potential—but they don’t always live up to it. Too often, I see booths where staff are tucked behind the table, smiling politely and waiting for someone to ask a question.
Don’t get me wrong—just being there matters. But if you’re investing the time, staff, and booth fee, you owe it to your library (and your community) to make the most of it.
Here’s how to turn your presence at a pop culture event into something dynamic, fun, and effective.
Be Active!
Don’t just sit behind the table. Stand up. Smile. Greet people. Hand out a flyer, sticker, or rack card to everyone who walks by. You’re not a vendor—you’re a community-powered super-resource, and you should act like it. Make sure your staff and volunteers are prepared with simple conversation starters:
- “Are you a library user already?”
- “Do you know we have graphic novels on Hoopla?”
- “Want a free book just for stopping by?”
Offer Instant Access (or the Next Best Thing)
If your library has the capacity to issue cards on the spot—do it. This is one of the most impactful things you can offer. If you can’t issue cards at the event, try this workaround:
- Create a “Superhero Library Card”: a fun, mini flyer that says something like “Activate your superpowers—bring this to any library branch to get your real card!”
- Sweeten the deal: Offer a small incentive like a free book sale item or free DVD rental when they bring the card in.
- Sign people up for your newsletter! Again, you may offer an incentive like a cool sticker. And remember you’re a community-powered super-resource, and your newletter is a public service!
Connect to Your Collection with a Custom Link
Create a comic con–themed landing page or blog post featuring:
- Graphic novels on Hoopla, Libby, and in print.
- Superhero movies, anime series, soundtracks.
- Local creator spotlights or library programming.
Include a shortened link to this page on everything: printed flyers, social media posts, even a QR code for your booth materials.
Bonus tip: Make the URL short and memorable (like YourLibrary.org/comics) or use a free link shortener.
Show Up on Social
Don’t forget to promote your presence during the event:
- Use event hashtags
- Tag the event organizer
- Post live photos of your booth, cosplayers, or featured books
- Share behind-the-scenes moments—setup, silly selfies, staff in costume
🎯 Always include your QR code and resource link in your posts.
Give People One Simple Thing to Take With Them
Pop culture events can be overwhelming. People are getting bombarded with flyers, merch, and everything in between. If you can only give them one thing, make it:
- A library card or library card voucher (see above). If you can’t do that, or you want to give them more info, you can combine that with …
- A clean, well-designed rack card featuring a QR code that links to your themed library resources. Bonus: Include hours and a friendly call to action like, “Ready to level up your fandom? Visit your local library!”
✅ Comic-Con Prep Checklist
| Task | Description |
|---|---|
| ✔ Create themed landing page | Link digital and physical materials |
| ✔ Design rack card w/ QR code | Include easy-to-remember URL |
| ✔ Staff your booth actively | Stand up, hand out materials, engage |
| ✔ Prep social media plan | Hashtags, tagging, live updates |
| ✔ Offer instant or incentive-based card signups | Superhero card = freebie at the library |
| ✔ Follow up after event | Post highlights, invite visits, thank attendees |
Bottom Line
Don’t just show up—show up strategically. When your library is present at comic cons and pop culture events, you’re putting yourself in front of the next generation of lifelong readers, creators, and library champions.
Make sure they remember you for more than a giveaway sticker!
