Welcome to the Zine Scene: creating zinemaking resources for Scottish librarians, informed by research into the mental health benefits of zinemaking for young people.

Abstract

Libraries provide an essential support role for emotional health and wellbeing. This is particularly relevant as evidence shows that Scottish children and young people are increasingly at risk of poorer mental health. By researching the positive effect on young people’s mental health that zinemaking can have, this project suggests that libraries can increase their value by introducing zinemaking activities to their patrons. The research resulted in accessible resources being created that will demystify zinemaking in general, and increase librarian confidence, thus easing the process of implementing such activities.

The literature review highlights three key areas of particular interest to this investigation: the mental health benefits of creativity and physical making as providing an embodied experience; how zinemaking can create both micro and macro communities and the importance of this for young people; and lastly the way that zines can be used as tools for activism and amplifying marginalised voices.

An analysis of easily available resources verified that there was a need for providing online, accessible resources for Scottish Librarians, whilst establishing elements of good practice. By triangulating this analysis with the academic research, prototype resources were created. This was the first cycle of an iterative, mixed methods Action Research approach. The next cycles involved multiple pilot workshops with librarians, representing a cross-section of both school and public Scottish libraries. Qualitative data gleaned from workshop observations, and post-workshop interviews with the librarians, informed iterative changes to these resources along with new resources being created.

After ten separate workshop days, and therefore ten potential iterative cycles, the final resources were created. These use a unique handmade-digital approach to ensure the DIY ethos of zinemaking is represented whilst allowing for digital distribution and editing. These were then made available through an online portal that is both informative and inspiring. This will be made publicly accessible to public and school librarians across Scotland, thus encouraging them to join the zinemaking community and allowing their young people to gain all the benefits and the increased emotional wellbeing that can result.