Salinas Public Library

The Readerman Comic Contest (for Teens) involves creating a digital comic that tells the story of Readerman. The comic CAN answerer one of the following questions:

• How did Readerman come to live under the city?
• What does Readerman do to help people?
• How did Readerman stay a secret for so long?

Read the Press Release below and use your imagination to reveal more of the Readerman story. For more contest details click HERE. To download images of Readerman visit the Readerman Flickr site. Good Luck!

News broke that Salinas’ legendary Readerman has surfaced again to protect the Salinas Public Library at a time of danger. There is a palpable sense of excitement at the Library, but recent events are shrouded in secrecy.

It has been rumored that for over a hundred years Salinas librarians have kept the existence of Readerman a secret. Whispered tales relate that throughout the decades, an unnamed Salinas librarian has supplied the underground superhero with food and snacks through a special underground lift system installed at an undisclosed location at the Salinas library. The lift gives access to Salinas’ secret network of underground tunnels that contain a vast and remarkable library under the streets of the City of Letters. Readerman spends his time reading and growing powerful, until the time comes when his special powers will be needed. It is said that Readerman’s powers include being able to transport people anywhere in the world in the blink of an eye, and making people smart. “There’s no question about it. Reader Man makes you smart. If you don’t want to get smart, don’t come within ten feet of Reader Man,” declared a source with knowledge of the matter, who insisted on remaining anonymous.

Many individuals have attempted to investigate this rumor over the decades and have claimed a librarian cover-up. When asked about this underground lair, Mary Jean Gamble, Salinas Public Library’s History Librarian, said “Don’t be silly. It’s preposterous to think that we’ve been hiding a superhero in the basement.” But before she turned away, there was the hint of a Mona Lisa smile.

It is unclear whether Salinas librarians will openly admit the existence of a real Readerman. However, signs are clear that it may be more difficult than before to keep Readerman under wraps. There have been reports that Readerman has started to appear in public places throughout Salinas, where he has begun to swoop in suddenly and ask his trademark question, “What are you reading?”

“It can be quite unnerving really,” said Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue, who was allegedly accosted by Reader Man Sunday morning while ordering coffee at Rollicks. “Good thing I was carrying my book.” Donohue brandished Francisco Alarcón’s book of bilingual poems for children, Angels Ride Bicycles. “This famous poet will be at the library soon,” said the Mayor. He looked relieved. “When Reader Man asks you that question, you want to have an answer ready. The guy is big.”

What does Reader Man look like? That is a question currently under debate. Reader Man is reputed to be invisible. “Invisibility makes a photo opportunity challenging,” said Salinas librarian Anthony Lacono. “Just like words, which are in reality invisible but are made visible through a series of human-created signs, we have devised a method by which Reader Man can be seen.” Lacono reported that this will be unveiled at libraries Spring 2010. Librarian Anthony Lacono is reputed to head the esoteric division of the literary cabal that supports Reader Man, but Lacono vehemently denies this. “That’s just hogwash,” he said, with an air of mystery.