Resources for Zinesters
When You're In the Library
Multnomah County Library has many resources that may be helpful to you when you are creating & producing your own zine — books about zine culture and history, books with practical advice about how to make and distribute your zines, and all kinds of other resources that can provide you with source material or other inspiration. Below you will find links to booklists that can help lead you to general library materials about zines (including zine anthologies), and how-to information about self-publishing, bookbinding, and clip art.
The Picture File
The library also has an amazing picture file that includes clippings from magazines, calendars, books, and cards. The picture file has been added to and maintained since the 1920s, and it includes images covering a wide variety of subjects including art, modes of transportation, food, animals, sports, costumes and coiffures!
You can take a look at the picture file by heading to the third floor Art & Music room of downtown's Central Library. Stop at the first desk you see when entering the room, where the librarian can look for pictures on the subject you are interested in. From there you'll head to the back of the room, where the friendly staff will retrieve your files. And here comes the best part. . . pick the pictures you like most, and you can check them out! Or, if you prefer, you can make copies of them right there in the library (black and white copies cost 10 cents each).
What do zinesters think about the Multnomah County Library picture file? The 2003-04 Zinesters Guide to Portland called it "a zinesters dream." Try out this incredible resource and see if you agree!
Asking a Question
But the best resource the library has for zinesters is helpful library staff! If you have a question about how to find anything mentioned on this website, if you need help getting started on a research project, if you have an idle question you're curious about, or if you're wondering how something at the library works, go directly to an information desk and ask the reference staff — they are ready and waiting to help you!
Other Places to Look at Zines
If you're looking for places to sell, buy, or look at zines, take a look at our own library-created zine, PDX Zines, which lists zine libraries and zine stores in the Portland area. If you are looking for zines in other places, you can use one of these great lists of zine libraries across the United States:
- U.S. Infoshops & Zine Libraries
-
http://www.undergroundpress.org/zine-resources/infoshops-zine-libraries/A list of zine libraries arranged by state, from Zine World: A Reader's Guide to the Underground Press.
- Zine Libraries
-
http://zinebook.com/resource/libes.htmlA list of zine libraries from the website for A Book of Zines: Readings From the Fringe.
- Zine Links
-
http://www.slcpl.lib.ut.us/details.jsp?parent_id=145&page_id=174The Salt Lake City Public Library's list of zine links includes many handy websites about zines and for zinesters — scroll down a little and you'll see their list of zine libraries throughout the United States.
Books for Zinesters
The library has lots of books that are useful for zinesters and other folks who are interested in zines. Take a look at some of our booklists:
The library maintains booklists on many other subjects as well.
