Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Warren Public Library Teen Services Specialist Amanda Bajdo (left) and Reference and Adult Services Department Head Courtney Hoover are looking forward to celebrating Free Comic Book Day and giving away 100 comic books from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the library.

Comic Book fans, it’s time to visit the library.

The Warren Public Library is participating in Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 7.

The library will give away 100 comic books, gift bags, and comic cookies to teens and adults.

“If you want to come to the library in costume…” Teen Services Specialist Amanda Bajdo said.

“We are encouraging cosplay,” Reference and Adult Services Department Head Courtney Hoover said.

Most participants in Free Comic Book Day are businesses.

“Because we don’t have any comic book shops around Warren, we qualify to participate in the Free Comic Book Library Program,” Hoover said. “We are excited to give people here a chance to participate without having to drive to Jamestown or Erie.”

“It’s a service that we can bring to our community that was lacking,” she said.

“It’s part of a national program,” Bajdo said. “It’s exciting for Warren.”

Exactly what comics will be in the bags is a secret, but there are hints available.

“There are several videos that anyone can watch to get a sneak peek at FreeComicBookDay.com,” Bajdo said.

The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. until supplies run out.

Comic book, graphic novel, and manga aficionados don’t have to wait for Free Comic Book Day to find something of interest in the library.

In addition to the manga and graphic novels titles among the collection, the library is part of the ComicsPlus database. That brings thousands of titles in a number of categories — classics, non-fiction, even Shakespeare — to anyone with a Warren Public Library Card. “This database blows our mind,” Bajdo said.

It even allows multiple users to “check out” the same title at a time.

There are study guides available for teachers who would like to “use a manga or graphic novel in your classroom,” Bajdo said.