Zines, Zines, Zines!

Hello my fellow bookworms!

I wanted to share with you today part of a Zine Making Workshop I went to today, at Secret World Books out in Highland Park, Illinois. The workshop featured a short history of Zines presentation by Emily Steffen of Chicago Zine Fest!

Chicago Zine Fest (2024) defines a zine as:

"A zine (an abbreviation of the word fanzine, or magazine; pronounced “zeen”) is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier on a variety of colored paper stock. A popular definition includes that circulation must be 5,000 or less, although in practice the significant majority are produced in editions of less than 100, and profit is not the primary intent of publication. Zines are written in a variety of formats, from computer-printed text to comics to handwritten text. Topics covered are broad, including fanfiction, politics, art and design, ephemera, personal journals, social theory, single topic obsession, or sexual content far enough outside of the mainstream to be prohibitive of inclusion in more traditional media. The time and materials necessary to create a zine are seldom matched by revenue from sale of zines."

Some brief history tidbits that I picked up during our presentation include:

• The first zine makers trace back to the 1700's with Benjamin Franklin! Remember Poor Richards Almanac? That was printed and produced without a publisher, and it is widely known today! For more information on the beginnings of zines, check out this short blurb in the Virginian-Pilot from August 4, 1995.
  

• Science-fiction authors helped to contribute to zines, due to the fiction they wanted to published. It was deemed "too fantastical," so authors like H. P. Lovecraft took it upon themselves to publish their work without the help of a publisher. Thank goodness they did so, otherwise our science-fiction, fantasy, and horror novels would not be what they are today!
  

• Zines helped the grrrl riot movement in the 90's, a movement of punk girls and women, allowing women of all ages to express themselves freely about topics that were never explored in the mainstream, such as sexuality, abuse, politics, and a general way to document what was happening to them at the time. Check out this thoughtful article by Ashwanta Jackson, titled Start a Riot (and a Zine), Grrrl, from JSTOR, for more background information. 
  

• If you want to create your own zine, do it! There are a lot of how-to's and videos online. Vice has a nice article titled A Beginner's Guide to Making Zines that helps to fill in what to do. Some tips from Emily included:
• DO NOT USE PENCILS! They erase and go everywhere, and is generally not a good medium.
• If you use alcohol inks, put paper underneath your zine paper, as the inks will bleed through.
• Fold and crease over a couple times, both ways. Ensure your creases are perfect. (No one wants an odd shaped zine - especially if you are buying one!)
• Folding zines by yourself over and over can take away the natural oil from your hands. Use a bone folder, such as this one from Amazon. It can help you score and crease without pain and your hands can stay nice and naturally oily without issue!
  
• If you can make your zine memorable and stand out from others, do so! I loved the zines by Rachel Bard that Emily brought to the workshop, such as a little matchbook zine about burning out or one about an acorn (I am not sure what the story was there, it was too delicate to touch). They were cute, pretty, and I would love to add them to my own library! (Note to self: Buy some of Rachel's work! Isn't the seashell adorable?)
• Revamp your social media image and then be sure to add your social media to your zine! If people like your work, you want them to be able to contact you / ask for more. 

• If you want to sell your own zine, try so at Quimby's Bookstore. Ask them for a form to do so and submit. Who knows, you may be making some extra income on the side, while meeting a whole new group of people!

• Also, you should check out the Chicago Zine Fest, which is coming up on October 5, 2024! They are also looking for volunteers, if you should choose to help out.
  

There was time after the presentation to create my own zine, which was a really cool activity and opportunity! I hope you enjoyed learning a little about zines today. Who knows, maybe your local library will bring zines to their collection! ;)

Until next time, Happy Reading!

Happy Turkey Day!

Hello my fellow bookworms,

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you out there who celebrate it! To those who do not...Happy Go-For-A-Ride-Day! Go out there and take a walk, ride your bike, go feel the air on your face. Take a breather from the holiday stress that seems to arrive earlier and earlier each year.

I would like to share a link with you today, in case you find yourself in need of a new binge-worthy online activity. The Library of Congress recently released what they call the National Screening Room, a website that hosts a collection of films available for free for all to view worldwide from their own home. Per the library website, this collection is a current project of the Library that was created in order to digitalize the most diverse movies possible from its collection in order to contribute to culture and life-long learning. The movies available are historical, documenting past times and events. Please note that not all the movies are uplifting, and can be offensive, but they do serve to provide awareness of the different attitudes and beliefs that make up our history.

If you are interested in becoming lost in time, please visit the National Screening Room website here.

You can even download the majority of movies listed, as well as easily cite them as references for any sort of historical papers you may have to write!

Happy reading! :)

Hello Seattle!

Hi Gals and Guys,

I am in between a few books and am a bit behind on my requests. To those who I said I would review, please be patient, I am currently writing a review and am in between a couple more books. :)

In the meantime, I would like to share with you a bit of history from Seattle. With permission from my lovely friend with a passion for architecture, I would like to present to you... *drum roll please* the Seattle Public Library!

A bit of history:

(c) A.T.R. 2018

The Seattle Public Library had a rough start. In 1868, the town gathered to form a library association, which later became an official city department in 1890. Tight budgets led to a small existence for the library until 1899, when the library rented the Yesler Mansion, the "city's most elegant structure!" Unfortunately, in early 1901, a fire destroyed the mansion and much of the collection. The library had to be restored. Andrew Carnegie heard of the disaster and agreed to donate $200,000 to help create a fireproof library, which benefited the $50,000 budget the city had already raised towards a new library and maintenance. After much debate between city members and the library board, it was decided that the block between Fourth and Fifth Avenue and Madison and Spring Streets would be the new site of the library and was bought in 1902. An architecture competition then ensued, with a total of thirty firms competing! The ultimate winner of the contest was Peter J. Weber, who created a design for the library based on a Beaux-Arts design. Beaux-Arts architecture is a style that evolved from Roman and Greek influence, focusing on symmetry, interior spacing, columns and pediments, stone materials, statues/figures, a raised story, and a very decorative surface in all. (Seattle Public Library Website, Chicago Architecture Foundation)

(c) A.T.R. 2018

Over time, the library grew as the city did, with branches opening in the surrounding neighborhoods. Andrew Carnegie was a key philanthropist and donated much to fuel the growth of the libraries. But, by the 1920's and continuing into the depression, the library (termed the Carnegie Library due to the amount funded by the philanthropist) went through much change. Overzealous patrons who were down on their luck and a dwindling budget led to crowded facilities, an issue that helped push the city to develop a 10-year plan to expand the library. The library was also a source of information during wartime, with circulation increasing throughout the years. With its popularity rising, the library had to undergo physical changes to accommodate the public's needs. The old Carnegie library was knocked down, and in 1960, a new main library branch designed by a Seattle firm, Bindon & Wright. This new branch had a particularly interesting innovation - a drive-up window for book pick-ups! (Seattle Public Library Website)

(c) A.T.R. 2018

Celebrating its 100th birthday in 1991, the Seattle Public Library looked once more into revamping the premises. In 1998, a project titled "Libraries for All" proposed a makeover for the library, which gained much public approval, and the project was voted in. The project led to four new library branches in neighborhoods without libraries, as well as the overall expansion and renovation of current branches, including the large main branch. This once again led to a decision of who would design the new renovated branch. Out of 29 architecture projects, Rem Koolhaas won with his unique glass design, for which he won the highest architecture honor: a Pritzker Prize. Rem Koolhaas is known for his "gravity-defying" architecture designs, focusing much on glass and shape. His designs have built up his reputation to be one of the best architects of the 21st century! His design of the Seattle Public Library provided a glass and steel frame, which now houses a book spiral and a "living room" overlooking Fifth Avenue. The reopening of the main branch was in May 2004, with the Libraries for All project finishing in 2008. (Seattle Public Library Website, Architecture & Design Magazine)

A spectacular open and airy space to visit, relax, and read, the Seattle Public Library has helped provide a haven for those seeking knowledge and leisure since it was built. If you have not visited yet, both my friend and I highly recommend it!

(c) A.T.R. 2018

(c) A.T.R. 2018

(c) A.T.R. 2018

Have you visited any remarkable libraries lately and would like to share your story? Let me know in the comments below!