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 Recre...
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