Firmly rooted in the tradition of independent publishing and presses, zines and other similar small-run publications have been instrumental in understanding creative communities, often serving as the glue that holds them together. Libraries are especially well-suited for showcasing and exploring the potential value of both reading, collecting, and making zines. For the past five years, Columbia College Library’s Aesthetics of Research initiative has been devoted to tying artists to resources both on campus and in the arts community, with an eye toward indie and underground art forms. We have developed a rich vein of programming devoted to zines in the Library, including a Zine Exchange, monthly zine nights, and assorted other programming with ties to the Chicago zine-making community. This session will explore how libraries can foster zine-making efforts on campus, provide an overview of zine-related resources in the Chicago community, and examine the possibilities for zine-making in the classroom.
Kristy Bowen and Jennifer Sauzer (Columbia College)