Zines
Zines are subcultural self-publications, usually made on paper and reproduced with a photocopier or printer by a single creator or a small group. Zines are generally small press publications in very limited runs whose creators are often motivated by a desire to share knowledge or experience with people in marginalized or otherwise less-empowered communities. The zine collection in Stephen O. Murray and Keelung Hong Special Collections began alongside the library's general focus in popular culture and radicalism, becoming an intentional collecting area in 2008. We have strong holdings in late 1970s and early 1980s punk fanzines, including many titles from the UK not held elsewhere in North America. Music fanzines in other genres are also a focus. Beyond music, the collection covers a wide swath of subculture from the 1980s to the present, including unique perspectives in perzines (diary-like personal zines), political zines, and zines focused on gender and sexuality. We continue to strengthen holdings in zines by people of color and zines from queer and trans communities. Ongoing collecting efforts include expanding holdings in international zines, especially from Latin America and Asia. We actively collect contemporary zines via direct buying from zinesters, zine fests, zine distros, and bookstores.
For more information, please contact Joshua Barton, Zines Curator.