Zine libraries can be found in garages, basements, infoshops, community centers, school libraries, public libraries, academic libraries, archives—you name it.

We’ll mention just a few of our favorite general resources here:

• The “Zines in Libraries: Collecting, Cataloging, and Community” zine was created by a group of zine librarians to serve as an introduction to getting zines into your library, with suggestions for getting administrative approval, cataloging, shelving, and programing ideas.
• For a good overview of developing a zine collection aimed at teens in a public library, check out Jerianne Thompson’s post: “ZINE: it rhymes with teen: how a zine collection can help you connect with young adults.” It includes great ideas for programming, too!
• For another step-by-step guide, along with questions to ask when starting a zine collection at a library, check out these short posts by Jenna Freedman and Miriam DesHarnais at “Your Zine Tool Kit, A DIY Collection” (Library Journal blog, 2006).
• Another fabulous resource is Julie Bartel’s book From A to Zine: Building a Winning Zine Collection in Your Library (Chicago: American Library Association, 2004).

These are just a few of the resources available about zine libraries. There’s lots more to explore on this website, but an even better place to find information is the Zine Librarians email list, which features hundreds of people with lived experience in setting up zine libraries, publishing zines, teaching using zines, creating zine metadata, and much more. Please don’t hesitate to subscribe to the email list and ask questions—new folks are very welcome!