Zine Libraries, Explained at Last!


What is a Zine Library?
Who Uses a Zine Library?
Zine Collections
Aspects of the Zine Librarian's Job
Challenges Facing Zine Librarians
Sources Consulted



What is a Zine Library?

Zines – small, independently published magazines that range in subject, length, frequency of publication and physical appearance – are inherently unique, because they are the products of individual creativity and effort.  Free from censorship, copyright and publishing standards, they say what they mean with little editing or outside structure.  Since they are so diverse, they also produce unique challenges to the collector or librarian.   Because they are independent - usually laid out on a home computer or by hand, photocopied and hand bound – two rarely follow the same format, labeling scheme or publishing schedule.  This makes cataloging zines a kind of extreme sport for librarians.
 
Zine libraries, then, are simply collections of zines.  These collections may be housed in a number of venues: as lending libraries within independent media centers and  community centers, as dynamic collections within public libraries, and as special collections, often located within in academic libraries.
 
The purpose of each zine library will differ depending on the type of institution it is housed in.  For zine collections housed in a special collection or archives in an academic library, its purpose may be primarily scholarly, as primary source research material.  For collections that exist in independent media centers and community centers, they may exist as methods of communication and avenues for creativity and activism.  The same can be said of zine collections within public libraries.

Collecting and preserving zines is important for a variety of reasons.  Laila Miletic-Vejzovic, a rare books and special collections librarian says, “Zines are an important part of popular culture because they reflect the attitudes and values of the masses” (Chepesiuk, 1997).  Zine librarian Julie Bartel enumerates the reasons that public libraries should develop zine collections,

"Zines can be an invaluable resource in reaching out to underserved patrons and ensuring materials diversity.  There are many marginalized or disenfranchised groups who have been alienated from mainstream culture for one reason or another and who often do not patronize the library...Collecting zines and other alternative publications ensures a more balanced collection, offers patrons more information from a wider variety of viewpoints and engages previously alienated groups, bringing new patrons to the library" (2003).

Some zine librarians may consider zines libraries to be collections of primary source materials, “As important for the study of history of today's mass culture as letters, diaries and scrapbooks” (Chepesiuk, 1997).  As “written document[s] of our accelerated culture” (Stoddart and Kiser, 2004), zine collections allow us to study things like the evolution of slang and language, as well as political climate and opinion.  One librarian even goes so far to say “If we don't preserve zines, historians and other researchers are going to have to write about our era solely from secondary sources” (Chepesiuk, 1997).  Clearly zines are worth preserving, perhaps for reasons we haven't yet imagined.

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Who Uses a Zine Library?

Zines are for everyone!  Zines are diverse, and so are their readers.  If you can imagine the topic, there is probably a zine about it out there somewhere.  Zines can cover anything from music, politics, gender, activism, religion, personal stories, fiction, poetry, crafts, travel, comics, and everything in between.  That said, these user groups are the most typical for zine libraries:
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What Services do Zine Libraries Provide for Patrons?

 
Most zine libraries are non-circulating.  Others may allow zines to circulate on the “honor system,” that is, without actually going through circulation.  Some zine collections are part of an archives and may be used only under supervision.  Some librarians may offer reference services for the collection, particularly if it is part of an archive or special collection.
 
Some libraries, such as the Salt Lake City Public Library, offer programming related to zines and zine culture, such as workshops on how to make your own zine, and they have hosted readings by zine makers/authors (Bartel, 2003).  The librarians at the SLCPL also do outreach in local schools to expose teens to zines (Bartel, 2003).
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Zine Collections

Collections will, of course, vary from location to location.  The Barnard Library Zine Collection focuses mainly on women's studies, while the collection at the Ray and Pat Browne Library For Popular Culture Studies at Bowling Green State University collects a variety of zines, but tries to limit the collection by excluding poetry and fiction zines.  Many public and academic libraries may attempt to actively acquire more zines from their local area such as the San Diego State University's West Coast Zine Collection, while others may have very loose collection policies.
 
The actual physical aspect of collecting the zines can be done a variety of ways.  One zine librarian that I corresponded with mentioned that attending zine conferences and other independent publishing conferences is invaluable.  Other ways to find zines include reading review zines (zines that review other zines), and distros (zine distributors).  Other tactics include word of mouth, listserv memberships, and frequenting local venues where zines may be sold or donated, such as coffee shops, concert venues, etc.  That said, many zine libraries are created with large donations of zines, such as the collection at the New York State Library.

For a list of some zine libraries, check out Zine World's list.

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Aspects of the Zine Librarian's Job
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Challenges Facing Zine Librarians

Acquisitions:  The ephemeral nature of zines makes acquisitions challenging.  Addresses change, zines frequently go "out of business" without warning, many only produce one issue.  Also actually locating zines presents a challenge in itself, and lots of outreach is necessary in order to find them, such as attending conferences, subscribing to listservs, and keeping in touch with local community groups.
Administrative support is crucial for funding, staffing, and space allocations.  Also, some patrons may find the material covered in some zines to be offensive, so administrative support is necessary to back up the zine librarian should the library receive complaints.

 Cataloging:  One major challenge is choosing how to organize the collection: Alphabetically, by topic, by size, etc.  Zines are very challenging to catalog because of their ephemeral nature.  Titles may change and dates and names are frequently absent.
Collection policies: many policies may inadvertently preclude alternative materials such as zines (Bartel, 2003).  Zine Librarian Julie Bartel explains:

"Most collection development policies do not include the alternative press; rather, they exclude them by their wording and intent.  For example, a typical collection development policy often includes the following: 'select items useful to patrons' (but with no explanation of what is 'useful'); 'select based on demand for the material' (even though demand can be manufactured and people can't demand what they don't know exists)..." (2003).

Finding a position: there just aren't that many zine libraries!  Most zine librarians are not only zine librarians, they are also reference librarians, teen services librarians, archivists, etc.  For others, it may not even be a paying job, but something that they do on the side.

Payment issues: Paying for zines can be challenging.  Many zine authors will only accept cash or stamps for payment, which may or may not sit well with the librarian's acquisitions policies and financial services department.  Writing checks is also challenging, especially if you don't have an author's real name (aliases are often used). 

Physical challenges - different libraries store zines differently.  Some libraries use plastic bags and cardboard to protect zines, others file zines in filing cabinets, others shelve them as they would books.  Finding the right fit for your library can be the challenge.
Publicity and Programming - again, lots of outreach may be necessary, particularly if the collection is in a public library or community center; librarians need to define zines and get them in the public eye so that people can take advantage of the collection.

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Sources Consulted

Bartel, J. (2003). The salt lake city public library zine collection. Public Libraries, 42(4), 232-238.

Chepesiuk, R. (1997). The zine scene: libraries preserve the latest trend in publishing. American Libraries, 28(2), 68-70.

Dodge, C. (1995). Pushing the boundaries: zines and libraries. Wilson Library Bulletin, 69, 26-30.

Dodge, C. (1998). Taking libraries to the street: infoshops & alternative reading rooms. American Libraries, 29(5), 62-64.

Elke. (2004). Libraries collecting alternative media and zines. Retrieved Jan. 29, 2005, from Writing on grrrl zines, riot grrrl, and third wave feminism. Web site: http://grrrlzines.net/writingonzines.htm#libraries.

Freedman, J. (2004). Barnard college library zine collection. Retrieved Jan. 29, 2005, from Barnard College Library Zine Collection Web site: http://www.barnard.edu/library/zines/links.htm#librarianship.

Herrada, J., et al (1995). Zines in libraries: a culture preserved. Serials Review, 21(2), 79-88.

Jerianne. (n.d.). Zine world: A reader's guide to the underground press.  Retrieved Jan. 30, 2005, from Zine World Web site:    
            http://www.undergroundpress.org/index.html.

Stoddart, R. A., & Kiser, T. (2004). Zines and the library. Library Resources & Technical Services, 48(3), 191-197.

West coast zine collection. (2004). Retrieved Jan. 31, 2005, from San Diego State University Library and Information Access Web site: http://infodome.sdsu.edu/about/depts/spcollections/rarebooks/zinesfindingaid.shtml#Intro.

Young, B. (2003). Salt lake city public library. Zine Librarian Zine, 2, 3-6.

Zine events. (n.d.). Retrieved Jan. 31, 2005, from The Zine and E-Zine Resource Guide Web site:  http://www.zinebook.com/directory/zine-events.html.

Zobel, C. (1999). Zines in public libraries. Counterpoise, 3(2), 5.
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