University Library’s Billy Tringali is a 2025 “Mover & Shaker”, according to a top national library news provider. Dubbed an “Anime Apostle” by Library Journal, the leading publication and digital platform for librarians and information professionals, Billy received the award for his unique work in the realm of popular culture research, especially manga and anime studies.
At the national level, Billy founded the online Journal of Anime and Manga Studies, (JAMS@AX, an academic conference inside of Anime Expo itself. Billy’s leadership in this arena brought an academic lens to a conference previously devoted to fandom and industry. The audience was clearly hungry for this addition as every session in the 2024 conference research track was standing room only.
Billy serves as the Faculty Advisor for the student Cosplay Club on the IU Indy campus. As a result of his advising, the Library is examining how we can add the Cosplay Club’s sewing machines and other maker material to the Library’s collection so that all IUI students can take advantage of this creative resource. Billy serves as subject librarian for IU Indy undergraduate Health Sciences, Kinesiology, Science, Tourism Management. This year, he also supported students in the Kelley School of Business. In addition to anime and manga studies, his research interests include library outreach and engagement, vampire studies, and student health and wellness promotion. He is currently preparing to travel to Japan and to Germany where he has been invited to speak about anime scholarship at two major international conferences.
Congratulations Billy!