Don’t dismiss them as pulp, or a waste of time. Nor think they are simply glossy battlegrounds where super heroes fight hordes of forgettable villains.

Comic books have matured, and public libraries, including those in Coos County, are recognizing that this unique medium shouldn’t be ignored.

That along with the fact more and more people want to read graphic novels, has prompted the North Bend and Coos Bay Public libraries to set up special sections to showcase and ease searches for these unique books.

In North Bend, staff members completed their new graphic novel section about a month ago. The books were formerly buried among the nonfiction collection, said Buzzy Nielsen, the library’s assistant director. A graphic novel reader himself, Nielsen said he had wanted to set up a special section since he came to work at the library last August. He’s hoping to draw a younger crowd of readers.

 “We want young people to come into the library and we don’t want them to be discouraged that the things they like are hidden away,” Nielsen said.

But you won’t find Peanuts, Garfield or Calvin and Hobbes among them.

“We’re including actual stories that are told graphically,” Nielsen said. “They really are novels. There are plots, character development.”

The section also helps legitimize graphic narratives as literature, he said, noting that books among the collection have received critical acclaim for their dynamic tales and artwork. The two volume novel, “Maus: A Survivor’s Tale” and “My Father Bleeds History” details the experiences of author and artist Art Spiegelman’s father — a Polish Jew — during the Holocaust. It has made the New York Times top 100 books of the 20th Century list and in 1992, it won a Pulitzer Prize.

“To be on a list like that is pretty impressive, especially considering that happened ... when graphic novels weren’t as popular as they are now,” Nielsen said.

So far, the new section in North Bend, located near DVDs and other media, has been popular. So has the one in Coos Bay, said Coos Bay Public Library Director Carol Ventgen. Her facility has about 200 graphic novels.

“They’re going out the door so often that the shelves are usually bare,” Ventgen said.

North Bend carries about 300 of the books, ranging from Manga series — Japanese comic books — and self-contained narratives, to trade paperbacks, which typically feature several issues of a story arc from one comic series. There also are plenty of super hero comics, along with a collection of independent titles. Nielsen said he hopes to continue to expand the collection, and recently received money from the library foundation for that.

Sara Simpkins, North Bend’s children’s librarian, emphasized that graphic novels are a worthwhile read. They’re not dumbed down or low brow, she said.

“They’re not easy reads,” Simpkins explained.

Many also deal with controversial issues that challenge readers.

Holding up “Laika” by Nick Abadzis, Nielsen said he recently finished reading the story, which is about the first mammal to orbit the earth and the ethical implications of sending the dog into space to die. While the graphic novel is fictional, Nielsen said the author did a lot of research into the Russian space program and Laika’s training for her journey in Sputnik 2.

Comics Unlimited owner, Kate Payne, said even super hero comics like Marvel’s X-Men deal with the issue of blind prejudice. Although it’s against mutants rather than a real-life minority, she said it’s potent stuff.

“The comic books of today are far more sophisticated in the story lines, characters and artwork than they used to be. Basically comic books grew up and they are very relevant to today’s problems,” Payne said.

Even Payne is pleased libraries are doing more to feature graphic novels. She believes they could eventually drive business to her North Bend store.

Ventgen said there’s been a graphic novel section at her site since May. Just like North Bend, the books were previously integrated into nonfiction and children’s sections. The move to create a separate section came about because library staff members wanted to make it easier for patrons to find what they want to read.

While the Coos Bay director said she and staff aren’t pushing the legitimacy of comic books and graphic novels, setting them aside makes sense because they aren’t like any other part of the library’s collection.

“I think the quality of them varies like with any genre,” Ventgen said. “But they’re not something that can be dismissed as just frivolous.”