Anime club in the public library

Aim: The popularity of Japanese animation (anime) has increased worldwide in recent years. The paper aims to represent an anime club as an opportunity for public libraries to draw in young fans by offering them a place where they can exchange experiences and find like-minded peers. It reflects on the definition of anime and the reasons for its popularity, offers an insight into possible ways of using anime in public libraries and presents a case study of a successful anime club. Methodology: This case study investigates the role of an Anime Club for High Schoolers in attracting an often hard-to-reach user group of adolescents back to public libraries. The observed anime club is specific for adopting a book club structure. To answer the questions how and why the club worked, data had been collected through archival record research and observation with participation during two program years (from October 2021 to July 2023). Findings: Despite the difficulties due to epidemiological measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, 20 teenagers joined the club: 7 individuals per session on average and 8 adolescents regularly attending meetings held twice a month. During the second year, even more participants regularly attended individual meetings. The club managed to gather an interested, engaged and positive community, whose members then started participating in other library programs. Applicability: The work showcases anime clubs as effective and valuable means for public libraries worldwide to attract young fans by offering them a place to cultivate their interests. It can serve librarians as an incentive for the development of a similar activity.