Zines from a Tennessee Public Library: Or, Stop Being a Wuss and Start a Collection Already!
Edited by Jenna Freedman -- Library Journal, 5/2/2009
Zines aren’t just for large metropolitan libraries; even small and medium-sized libraries can benefit from introducing such a collection. Many libraries start zine collections as a way to attract and serve young adults—teens and twenty-somethings—who may feel their library has little to offer matching their interests. In fact, this was my impetus for starting a collection at Linebaugh Public Library in Murfreesboro, TN. Linebaugh is the main branch in a four-branch system with a service area of just over 200,000, and we operate on a very tight budget. Through zines, we can provide access to information and topics that are limited within our general collection. These are a few extremely popular zines from our holdings, titles that are sure to be a hit at other libraries, no matter what their collection size or emphasis.—Jerianne Thompson
Lisa. The Frugal Vegan’s Spring & Summer Survival Guide. 2007. 87p. ½ size. $3. Distro: Microcosm
This zine epitomizes the DIY spirit of zines and is also a good bridge for people who might be new to reading zines. In addition to the easy-to-make vegan and raw foods recipes for bread, desserts, snacks, soups, and main dishes, this guide offers several articles with tips on green living. Of particular interest are the pieces on spring cleaning (including how to make natural cleaners), gardening, cheap living, canning, and homemade beauty products. The zine is accessible and inspiring. Also available (and recommended) are two issues of The Frugal Vegan’s Harvest & Winter Survival Guide. Recommended for teens and adults.
Mann, Heather. CROQ. Nos. 7–10. 2006–08. ½ size. $4/issue. Distro: Parcell Pr.
Craft zines are popular with all ages, and CROQ represents the genre well. Each issue includes a mix of instructional articles, interviews, recipes, and advice on the small business of crafting. Selected highlights include winter crafts and crafts with children (No. 7); selling crafts, accepting credit card payments, and Valentine’s crafts (No. 8); consignment, crafts from trash, and cooking with leftovers (No. 9, the "Trash Issue"); and teaching crafts, crafting on the road, and eating cheap on the road (No. 10, the "Travelin’ Crafty" issue).
Meyer, Christoph. 28 Pages Lovingly Bound with Twine. No. 12: The Alphabet Issue. 2005. 28p. ½ size. $2. Distros: Microcosm | Parcell Pr. | Quimby's
Cometbus and Doris are among by far the most popular and well-known perzines (personal zines) being published, but their blunt characterization of the punk lifestyle may be inappropriate for some audiences. 28 Pages, though, is a cheeky and fun perzine. Christoph presents a medley of personal stories, humorous illustrations (including hand-colored images, linoleum prints, and colorful stamps), history, and silliness, with one entry per letter in his abecedary. Also look for the zines Christoph made with his young son, such as Molly the Popsicle, a minicomic about a Popsicle abandoned on a kitchen counter, with disastrous results. (An actual Popsicle stick is glued on the cover!) Meyer’s zines makes great teaching examples and are enjoyable for adults and young adults alike.
Michel, A.j. Practice Apartment. 2005. 54p. ½ size. $3.
In 2002–2004, Michel produced three interesting compilation zines about domestic issues: laundry, grocery shopping, and cooking. When those zines went out of print, she culled the best into this anthology. Michel describes the collection as "stories from the front lines of life maintenance: the flooded washers, the rotten produce, the burnt dinners." It’s highly entertaining and amusing, featuring two dozen great zine writers and artists. Sure to have wide appeal. (One article includes adult language.)
Not My Small Diary. #13. Vols. 1 & 2. 2006. 80p. ed. by Delaine Derry Green. ½ size. $6/set. Distros: Parcell Pr. | Quimby's
This wonderful minicomic presents illustrated stories by dozens of artists and zinesters on a particular theme. The theme in issue 13 is "Lucky/Unlucky." A man survives a brain aneurysm; another walks away from his motorcycle after being struck by a car. Other stories relate the aftermaths of Hurricane Katrina and 9/11, superstitions, gambling, jobs, friendships, and much more. Incorporating a variety of drawing styles, the strips range from hilarious to thoughtful and touching.
Note: You can usually buy the zine directly from the creator.
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This column was contributed by Jerianne Thompson, the collection development coordinator for Linebaugh Public Library System. She is also editor and publisher of the review zine Zine World: A Reader’s Guide to the Underground Press and co-administrator of zinewiki.com. Jenna Freedman is Zine Librarian and Coordinator of Reference Services at Barnard College Library, New York. She is also a librarian zinester (Lower East Side Librarian, among others) |
