Chapter 9 from Zines in Libraries: Selecting, Purchasing, and Processing

Book abstract: Starting a zine collection is a great way to add underrepresented voices to your library. However, the road from acquisition to cataloging these underground, self-published, or fragile items can be quite difficult. This title will feature chapters from leaders in the intersection between zines and libraries who will break down why these collections are valuable, and how libraries can start a collection of their own. Covering everything from the difficulty of obtaining zines from small independent vendors, to cataloging often difficult to describe materials, this book will give an in-depth look at adding zines successfully to a library collection.ZineCat is the home of a union catalog dedicated to zines. A union catalog is a resource where libraries can share cataloging and holdings information and metadata from their individual collections. Like, WorldCat, but for zines exclusively! The Zine Union Catalog facilitates discoverability of zine holdings by searching a single catalog interface to locate zines and zine collections throughout the United States and beyond, and will help catalogers copy records and facilitate the lending of materials between libraries. ZineCat serves educators, researchers, zine creators, librarians, archivists, and anyone in the general public with an interest in zines