REPORT TO BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
SUBJECT
Title
Informational Report on Comic Con 2024
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
Comic Con developed out of the Santa Clara City Library’s STEM Innovation Bowl, or STEM Con, held before the 2016 Super Bowl in Santa Clara, hosting over 10,000 people and connecting fun, activity-oriented programs with technology and football.
This evolved into Comic Con at the Santa Clara City Library, modeled on other Comic Cons around the country, and focusing increasingly on comics and arts as an entry to the love of reading.
In 2022, the Santa Clara City Library hosted its 6th Comic Con, a highlight of local programming. Approximately 6,000 visitors of all ages attended the event. According to visitor surveys, 95% rated the event 4 or 5 stars, and 97% said they would attend the event again.
Comic Con is sponsored by the Santa Clara City Library Foundation & Friends. The event draws crowds from around the Bay Area to the Central Park Library for activities like crafts, photo booths and displays, artist panels, drawing panels, tabletop game panels, raffles, character storytimes and photos, cosplay and costume contests. Free comic books are given away in support of activities, all to encourage and support the love of reading.
Comic Con is a continuing event and will be held every other year beginning in 2024. Alternating years may feature smaller Comic Con activities at Santa Clara City Library branches.
DISCUSSION
On October 12, 2024 Library held a successful and well-attended Comic Con at Central Park Library. This informational report is to share the outcomes of Comic Con 2024 with the Board of Library Trustees.
Comic Con 2024 hosted over 8,500 visitors, a nearly 42% increase from Comic Con 2022. The event featured an all-time high for the number of artists attending, as well as greater engagement than ever with partners and other city departments, including Parks and Recreation, SVP, and Sewer and Water. 57 staff supported the event, with the assistance of 85 volunteers
Panels and presentations featured the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers, the Cartoon Art Museum, the Charles M. Schulz Museum, and artists and authors including Thien Pham and Briana Loewinsohn, and Francisco Jimenez. Attendees learned about how to cosplay and build Gundam models, with over 460 participants attending the panels and presentations.
Craft activities were very popular with children and participants of all ages, with over 3,525 crafts made. The rocket launcher activity drew approximately 400 participants, as did photobooth opportunities with characters including Optimus Prime, the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers as well as the Rebel Legion, Snoopy, Elephant and Piggy, and Mecha Godzilla. Other well-attended activities included storytime with 280 participants, an escape room with 230 participants, table top gaming with 200 participants, and quidditch games with 135 participants. The community also enjoyed K-pop dance workshops with 95 participants, and a 30-person video game tournament. Thousands of attendees arrived in cosplay, with the cosplay contest drawing 50 participants with handmade costumes.
Comic Con 2024 was supported by the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends.
Contributions from the city included police and fire marshal presence to ensure safety and security, equipment and support from Parks & Recreation, and a water truck from Water & Sewer. Total estimated city costs were estimated at $9,192, supporting the Foundation which provided primary funding support for Comic Con. Library staff provided in-kind support in planning and operating the event.
Staff will review with the Board the Comic Con 2024 Presentation (Attachment 1), as well as a video showcasing Comic Con 2024, hosted on the Library’s YouTube page.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project" within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Comic Con 2024 was supported by the Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends. Total estimated city costs were $9,192. Library staff provided in-kind support in planning and operating the event.
COORDINATION
This report was prepared by Library staff only.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Board agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and file informational report on Comic Con 2024.
Staff
Reviewed by: Sami James, Management Analyst
Approved by: Patty Wong, City Librarian
ATTACHMENTS
1. Comic Con 2024 Presentation