As July is International Zine Month, it’s the perfect time to mention that the Tate Library is about to launch its zine collection, with a special event on Friday August 2nd, 12 -2pm. The Tate Library has been collecting zines for some time, as part of it’s artists’ book collection, but it is now being launched as its own distinct collection, to help raise the profile of these mostly self published documents. Everyone is welcome to the launch, which will include a show and tell introducing the collection, and a talk from zine artist Soofiya.
According to the British Library, which also have an extensive zine collection, zines (short for fanzine) ‘..were a form of independent personal publishing before the existence of websites, weblogs and myspace. Zines are not reliant on any publisher or mainstream distributor, not motivated by profit and not filtered through an editorial or regulatory board. In fact zines are less regulated and censored than many of their digital counterparts and are therefore an ideal space for free, uninhibited expression. Zines can be dedicated to any imaginable point of view, idea, phenomenon or thing.’
Other places with prominent zine collections include:
List of zine collections on City University blog
See also:
Zine librarians interest group
Our own artists’ book collection and TUC collection in the Special Collection also has some zines. Contact specialcollections@londonmet.ac.uk for further information.
Previous related posts:
Daylighting event at Wellcome Collection
zines and small publishers fair
a selection of zines. Image by Teknad
