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Pace University Zine Library

Use this guide to learn more about the Pace University Zine LIbrary, a rich, growing collection that includes zines, chapbooks, pamphlets, artists' magazines, artists' books, and more. .

Zines in the Past, Present, and Future

In general, zines are self-published booklets created by people seeking expression and community. People who make zines are sometimes called "zinesters."  Zines are folded or stapled and therefore portable and flexible. They require no Internet connection to read. They usually do require some technology to make. In general, zines were born on photocopiers of the 20th Century. In short, a zine is a Do-It-Yourself pamphlet publication that can be endlessly reproduced. Zines are usually not unique, one-of-a-kind creations. A zine title may appear just once, or periodically.  Unlike magazines and books, (most) zines do not have ISSN or ISBN numbers.

Imagine a subject. There's probably a zine about it! Zines range from serious political statements to idiosyncratic personal musings. There are "perzines" that feature someone's deeply personal writings; fanzines; activist zines; instructional zines; informational zines;  literary zines; art and design zines; and entertaining and humorous zines. Some zines are very moving and emotional. Some are abrasive and confronting. Many zines are like diaries or letters, and many others are like mini research papers.  Overall, the paper format prevails in the zine world, but you will find an increasing number of digitized or born-digital zines on the Internet.

Part of a larger world of independent thought, creativity, and publishing, Zines are more popular than ever.

Watch These Slides about Zine Past, Present & Future

 

Wing On Wo & Co is a family-run store in Chinatown known for porcelain, but the youngest family member is a designer and activist who has added a zine section to the store. View some of the zines currently for sale here and visit the store! The Pace Zine Library owns some zines purchased here.

Bluestockings is a collectively-run activist center, community space and feminist bookstore with a significant zine section. You need to visit in person in the Lower East Side to see what they have, but you can view some zines available for purchase as digital downloads here.