Zines in Libraries: Selecting, Purchasing, and Processing

Featuring contributions from leaders in the intersection between zines and libraries, including Katrin Abel, Jeremy Brett, Ann (A'misa) Matsushima Chiu, Marta Chudolinska,  Jenna Freedman, Joan Jocson-Singh, Mica Johnson, Lauren Kehoe, Joshua Lupkin, Meg Metcalf, and Ziba Perez, this book presents an in-depth look at adding these unique materials successfully to a library collection.  

Their homegrown and esoteric aesthetic make zines important cultural and historical objects. Including them in library collections is a perfect way to amplify underrepresented voices. But the road from acquisition to cataloging these underground, self-published, and often fragile items can be difficult. This resource smooths the path forward, offering top-to-bottom guidance for collection development and acquisitions staff, administrators, catalogers, and access services librarians in understanding and processing zines for library collections. Readers will learn

• why these collections are valuable, and how libraries can start a collection of their own;
• targeted advice on zine collection development and management, including policy, selection, cataloging, and promotion;
• how to navigate the challenges of obtaining zines from small independent vendors, zinefests, distros, third-party donors, and art collectives;
• ways to work with zine creators to develop a respectful preservation program; 
• insights from a case study exploring genre, context, and purpose in contemporary Latin American fanzines;
• where zines can fit in at school libraries or in one-shot instruction; and
• a look at the future of zines, from online zines to zine communities that are increasingly accessible, inclusive, and diverse.

Imprint: ALA Editions

Published: 2021

Pages: 176