Zines in libraries: how, what and why?

Abstract

Purpose -This paper sets out to discuss the importance of collecting alternative press materials, particularly zines, in libraries and presents case studies of zine collections; Barnard College Library and the New York Public Library. Design/methodology/approach -This paper builds on work presented by the authors and others at the 12th National ACRL conference in Minneapolis, where zine collections in different types of academic and research libraries were discussed. Findings -Zines document contemporary culture in the same way newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and movies as, but from a much different pointof-view. It is important for libraries to collect zines, and all alternative press materials, to ensure balanced and diverse collections, as well as securing primary source material for scholars today and in the future. Originality/value -This paper provides concrete examples of how two libraries are handling collections of zines.

RDA and the Description of Zines: Metadata Needs for Alternative Publications

“…Frequently, zines are created by trained artists and writers (Thomas, 2009). Gisonny and Freedman (2006) explained that "numerous authors find their way into print through alternative press publications that encourage risk taking" (p. 26). Zines provide creative inspiration to future artists (Drobnjak, 2013).…”

“…Because zines exist outside of the mainstream, they provide testimony of sub-and countercultures (Ardito, 1999;Lymn, 2013;Wooten, 2012) as well as progressive political attitudes and thought (Congdon & Blandy, 2005;Kucsma, 2002). Zines inscribe marginalized perspectives, sometimes controversial ones (Congdon & Blandy, 2005;Duncombe, 1997;Gisonny & Freedman, 2006;Gomez, 2007;Koh, 2008;Kucsma, 2002;Morgan & Dawson, 2010;Sellie, 2006). Zines more than happen to record alternative viewpoints, they are a vehicle for differing social perspectives (Gomez, 2007).…”

“…Intellectual access to zines must meet the research needs of working artists and zinesters, leisure readers, and academics (Freedman, 2006;Gisonny & Freedman, 2006;Stoddart & Kiser, 2004). Dodge (2008) discussed the growing scholarly use of zines in libraries.…”

Ezines: A Constructivist Instructional Activity for Teaching Diagnosis and Psychopathology

“…Historians trace the origin of zines to the science fiction fan club culture of the 1930s and 1940s (Stoddart & Kiser, 2004). The term zine is a derivative of fanzines or fan magazines, which were published by fan clubs of that era (Gisonny & Freedman, 2006). The original paper zines encompassed a multitude of topics (e.g., music bands, subcultures, feminism, politics, etc.)…”

Creative Counseling Techniques Applied to the Business World: The Use of Theory and Creativity in Consultation

“…Historians trace the origin of zines to the science fiction fan cluh culture of the 1930s and 1940s (Stoddart & Kiser, 2004). The term zine is a derivative of fanzines or fan magazines, which were published by fan clubs of that era (Gisonny & Freedman, 2006). The original paper zines encompassed a multitude of topics (e.g., music bands, subcultures, feminism, politics, etc.)…”