There are so many ways to locate zines outside of the Whitworth Library! Attending a local zine fest, purchasing through a distro, or reaching out directly to a creator are all great options! The resources on this page will help you locate zines in the Pacific Northwest (and elsewhere), as well as connect with other zine communities and resources.
Know of any other zine-related events? Email Sophia at sduval@whitworth.edu to include it here!
This is just a small selection of libraries and independent bookstores with zine collections in Seattle and Portland. Visit them on your next trip!
(A note: Some zine libraries may require an appointment.)
Zinecat.org is a union catalog dedicated to zines. A union catalog is a resource where libraries can share cataloging and holdings information. The Zine Union Catalog (ZUC) lets researchers discover zine holdings by searching a single catalog, and helps librarians copy catalog records to facilitate lending across libraries. ZUC serves educators, researchers, librarians, archivists, and anyone in the general public with an interest in zines.
ZUC contains over 30,000 records from partner libraries including ABC No Rio, the Barnard Zine Library, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Denver Zine Library, the Queer Zine Archive Project and the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture at Duke University.
You can purchase zines from these distributors. Some allow you to submit your own zines for distribution.
A growing number of digital projects are providing access to zines and zine culture in new ways. Below are some examples of completed and ongoing projects, many including PDFs you can download.
Want to connect with other zine creators and enthusiasts? Check out the following sites!
Because of the typically small circulation and de-centralized distribution of zines, review publications can be incredibly handy for identifying your next read! Most contain brief summaries, contact information, and pricing.
A not-at-all comprehensive list of zine collections & libraries in the United States and elsewhere. For more places to look, check out the Barnard Zine Library's directory of zine libraries.