A zine is a self-published work of original or appropriated and remixed materials, including photographs, drawings, poetry, and prose. Typically limited in print number, zines are most often stapled-together paper reproduced on a photocopier, and distributed locally.
While zines are closely associated with music scenes such as punk or riot grrrl, they have existed in their modern form as a part of a variety of artistic movements since the early 20th century, including Dadaist leaflets and early science fiction fan magazines (aka fanzines aka zines).
The Central Library’s Teen Center zine collection, launched with the goal of promoting the voices and creative expression of teens and young adults, especially those living in the Pacific Northwest, includes over a hundred zines and mini-comics, with topics ranging from self-perception to parrotfish to paper airplanes. All zines in this collection are uncatalogued, but may be borrowed and returned to the library when finished.
The University Branch library has a small collection of zines, consisting initially of donations from The Zine Project of YouthCare (an eight-week creative writing program for homeless youth that ended in 2016). All zines in this collection are uncatalogued, but may be borrowed and returned to the library when finished. If you have a zine you would like to donate, talk to a staff member at the University Branch in-person, or call at 206-684-4063.
Interested in exploring more about Zines and making your own, check out these materials from our collection:
- 100 Dollars and A T-shirt: A Documentary About Zines in the Northwest
- Fanzines by Teal Triggs
- The Future Generation by China Martens
- Girl Zines by Alison Piepmeier
- Make A Zine! By Joe Biel
- Whatcha Mean, What’s A Zine? By Mark Todd
~Posted by Mychal L.
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