The Collective 2025

Hello! My name is Mary Ruge and I have over thirteen years of experience working in libraries, both public and academic. I am currently serving as a tenure-track library liaison with Grand Valley State University Libraries in Allendale, Michigan.

My research interests include comics, contemplative pedagogy, and open access resources because they are cool ways to promote equity and inclusion in academia. I've taught many programs about comics and zines for all ages in both public and academic library settings, and am passionate about getting faculty from other departments on board with using zines in their classroom.

In addition to my comics programs, I created a digital zine collection during my time as the Adult Services Librarian at a public library in Muskegon, Michigan, made possible by a $10,000 grant I applied for and received from the ALA and National Endowment for the Humanities. This is a special collection aimed at giving every adult in West Michigan the chance to be heard, as it is made up entirely of zines created and donated by West Michiganders!

In my current position as library liaison, I conduct zine-making classes with students and faculty, and have worked hard to get zines accepted as an official format for GVSU's annual Student Scholars Day, our yearly celebration of what our students have been researching and are passionate about. 2025 will be the first year SSD will be accepting zines, and the committee is already looking to expand the type of zines we will accept next year.

Also, if you happen to look at my Instagram, you will know I love animal rescue and welfare (my cats ARE my Instagram). I have fostered a few times through a local rescue organization, my latest being KowKow, a feral boy I have been woo-ing for the past two years. He is a bundle of mess (FIV+, stomatitis, upper respiratory infection, tapeworms, kitty chlamydia, etc), but he is the sweetest 11 year old! He loves to cuddle, loves to sleep, I just have to work at getting him used to people other than me, and I have to get him to understand what TOYS are.

TLDR: Comics, zines, Open Access, contemplative pedagogy, CATS!!