Zines in Libraries: Selecting, Purchasing, and Processing

by Lauren DeVoe (Editor), Sara Duff (Editor)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780838938041
Publisher:	American Library Association
Publication date:	01/10/2022
Series:	ALCTS Monograph
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Lauren DeVoe (she/her) is the Order and Continuing Resources Librarian for the Columbia University Libraries in New York City. In her role as an acquisitions librarian at several institutions, she has handled materials of all sorts and varieties, as well cultivated relationships with a diverse range of vendors. Lauren’s research interests include zines in technical services workflows, witchcraft in literature, specifically the role of women as witch figures, and Jacobean drama.

Sara Duff is the Acquisitions & Collection Assessment Librarian at the University of Central Florida. She is the co-author of the book Guidance for Librarians Transitioning to a New Environment. Her areas of interest include communicating the value of the collection and improving textbook affordability options. She is an avid fan of zines and micropresses.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

1 Introduction: Zines in Libraries Meg Metcalf 1

2 The Importance of Acquiring Zines Joan Jocson-Singh 11

3 Zine Collection Development: Policy, Selection, and Promotion Katrin Abel 19

4 Genre, Context, and Purpose in Contemporary-Latin American Fanzines Joshua Lupkin 33

5 Zines in School Libraries Mica Johnson 49

6 Zines Online Marta Chudolinska 59

7 Zines and Acquisitions: Adventure and Conundrum Lauren Devoe 73

8 The Barnard Zine Library: The Controlled and the Wild Jenna Freedman 85

9 The Zine Union Catalog Lauren Kehoe 101

10 Circulating Zines Ziba Pérez 119

11 Zine Preservation Jeremy Brett 127

12 Our Zine Futures: A Call for Accessible, Inclusive, and Diverse Zine Communities Ann Matsushima chiu (A'misa) 137

About the Contributors 155

Index 159

Editorial Reviews

"In recent years, zines have become a valuable resource in academic and public institutions. Many institutions have undertaken zine acquisitions as part of diversity and inclusion initiatives. DeVoe and Duff have written careful introductions to explore the history and value of these publications ... Librarians both public and academic will find this text useful in understanding zines and/or in creating a cut collection of them at their institution. The index allows for easy reference and the supplemental materials should prove inspiring for first-time and seasoned collectors alike. Throughout, the contributors take great pains to emphasize the many benefits of a zine collection and to explore the variety of forms and functions of these resources in the modern world."
— Booklist

"The collection is informative and provides practical information ... I recommend this book because of the varying perspectives and experiences of the contributors."
— Technicalities

"This volume will be useful as both an introduction for libraries starting a zine collection and for those with zine experience."
— Choice

From the Publisher