Most people go to a library to read books and magazines, but University of Idaho students will get the chance to create a magazine of their own.
Steven Devine | Argonaut
There will be a tutorial workshop on creating a Zine at the University of Idaho Library on May 1. A Zine is a self-published, mini magazine that can be published online.
The UI Library will host a workshop on May 1 to teach participants how to make a Zine.
Anne Gaines, library assistant at the UI Library, said a Zine is a self-published mini magazine. She said it is like a blog but more current.
“Basically I will be leading the workshop and I will be helped by Sarah VanGundy,” Gaines said. “I will start by giving a general overview of what a Zine is.”
Gaines said she will teach participants the aspects that make a good Zine. She said the content that makes a good Zine depends on the audience.
“I personally like a lot of comics in my Zines,” Gaines said. “The first thing people should focus on is making their Zine visually interesting so it can catch people’s attention and make them want to read it. The other
big step is including interesting subject matter, something interesting to read or learn about.”
Sarah VanGundy will assist Gaines with the workshop. VanGundy said it is possible for Zines to become full magazines.
“Basically when a Zine becomes a magazine is when they start accepting advertising,” VanGundy said.
VanGundy said the workshop will give participants a better understanding of how much work it takes to create this kind of media, and might give them an understanding of how bias can play a role in magazine creation.
“I think it’s kind of cool to be able to create a magazine all on your own,” VanGundy said. “Its super fun and you can work collaboratively with other people and express yourself.”
Gaines said Zine creation encourages self-expression. She said she hopes participants will gain an appreciation for this kind of media.
“You can kind of tell when someone really cares about the Zine they are making,” VanGundy said.
VanGundy said she was first introduced to Zines when she helped with the collaboration process on a few in high school. She said it wasn’t until college that she actually created one of her own.
“I actually co-taught a class where Zine making was the final project,” VanGundy said.
She said she doesn’t know how many people to expect for participation in the workshop, but she is open to anything.
“This is our first time doing this, and we are hoping it will be successful so we can do it again,” VanGundy said.
VanGundy said the workshop will be from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on the first floor of the library.
Erik Fink can be reached at [email protected]