Rebecca Baker is a librarian and grad student. She is a paper and print maker, and has her own zine called That Smarts.
Special thanks to the Salt Lake Public Library, who hosted this month’s SLUGStyle within their beautiful downtown building.
Every month, SLUG Style features a distinct and unique member of the community and asks them why they do what they do. Exploring more than just clothing, SLUGStyle is an attempt to feature the people who give Salt Lake City flavor through personality and panache.
“I’ve been with the library for almost four years. I am a full-time Associate Librarian,” says Baker. “I started working as a Substitute Aide, which is someone that comes in when shifts need to be covered, and shelves books and works in the circulation department. I was promoted to being an aide at the Anderson-Foothill branch and then I came to Main about a year ago and I worked as a Communications Assistant, and then an Associate Librarian.” Photo: @clancycoop
“I think that zines give a voice to people who are otherwise voiceless,” says Baker. “Zines were used in alternative and punk culture to get words out about bands and shows just fashion, just anything you want it to be. And I like the way that zines kind of inform people about things they’re not otherwise informed about. And it’s a really interesting way to get to know the community that you live in through self-published media.” Photo: @clancycoop
“I think that people use the internet to connect more in a zine community. I am part of a zine librarian group that is mainly conducted online, but all of us have an interest in zines,” says Baker. “And during, I guess during changeover with media, I think you do lose a little bit of that cut and paste feel with the internet, but otherwise I think zines are pretty resilient and they’ve stuck around and people still make them.” Photo: @clancycoop
“I love books. Mainly I love zines, so I’ve been reading and collecting zines since I was 15. I got really into Riot Grrrl culture,” says Baker. “I lived in Baltimore, Maryland and D.C. when I was younger so big scene out there for zines. When I came to the main library I got the opportunity to start working with the zine collection and I am chair of the Alt Press Fest committee, which runs the Alt Press Fest that we have every year and we’re on our tenth year.” Photo: @clancycoop
“My main style icons are probably glamor girls of the ’40s and ’50s,” says Baker. “I love Esther Williams, she was a Ziegfeld Folly girl. And Doris Eaton Travis, if you don’t know her you should Google her.” Photo: @clancycoop
“I love anything that Liza Minnelli would wear, that’s definitely a big style icon for me,” says Baker. “Anything vintage, anything bright and sparkly, and I love knitted, knitwear and things like that.” Photo: @clancycoop
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