Explore the Seattle Public Library’s ZAPP Zine Collection during weekly open hours this summer
release date: July 19, 2024
Explore the Pacific Northwest’s rich history of zine culture this summer by visiting The Seattle Public Library’s ZAPP Zine Collection during weekly open hours, held on Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. through Aug. 31. No appointments are needed and everyone is welcome to drop in and visit the collection, which is located on the Central Library’s Level 7 in the Zine Room (formerly the Aviation Room).
“We are excited to offer open hours for the ZAPP Zine Collection for the first time since 2019,” said Abby Bass, one of four zine librarians at The Seattle Public Library. “Each zine is a labor of love by its artist, and the entire collection offers access to unique personal histories and a wide range of perspectives on music, art, politics, culture and more. Come by, browse, and learn!”
The Zine Archive & Publishing Project (ZAPP) Zine Collection includes more than 30,000 zines, minicomics and other self-published and small press titles, with a focus on voices and perspectives outside of the literary mainstream, including BIPOC authors, queer and trans authors, and youth and young adults. Many zines in the collection capture the unique history and cultural influence of independent music in the Northwest, including early issues of Sub Pop, which was started as a zine by founder Bruce Pavitt before becoming a record label, as well as the ”My Life With Evan Dando Popstar” zine, by Kathleen Hanna, a founding member of local Riot Grrrl band Bikini Kill.
While you’ll find zines and comics by other well-known authors and artists, from Ursula LeGuin to comic artist Adrian Tomine (“Optic Nerve”) to Gene Luen Yang (“American Born Chinese”), visitors are encouraged to discover both old favorites and new-to-them voices. During open hours, a zine librarian will be on hand to assist with browsing and research.
The ZAPP Zine Collection is for in-Library use only. About two thirds of the zines have been catalogued thus far and you can browse curated lists of zines around certain interests and topics at www.spl.org/Zines.
The collection is also open by appointment during the Central Library's open hours. As this collection requires a zine librarian present, please make an appointment at least two weeks ahead at this form If you identify topics of interest, librarians can pull materials for you ahead of time.
In August, the Central Library will celebrate the Zine Room on Level 7 by installing a new 42-foot mural. The mural is by well-known Pacific Northwest zine and mural artist, E.T. Russian, whose zines are part of the zine collection.
ABOUT THE ZAPP ZINE COLLECTION
The Zine Archive & Publishing Project (ZAPP) started as a volunteer project in 1996, dedicated to preserving and promoting self-publishing in Seattle and beyond. Originally part of Hugo House (which donated the collection to SPL in 2017), ZAPP collected and maintained a library of over 30,000 zines, minicomics and other self-published and small press titles.
MORE INFORMATION
The Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people's lives. We promote literacy and a love of reading as we bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community.
Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email at www.spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.
The Library is recovering from a recent cybersecurity event. Check our blog at www.spl.org/Update for regular service updates and www.spl.org/Today for daily schedule updates.
Media contact: For more information, contact Laura Gentry, head of the Communications Office, at laura.gentry@spl.org or 206-915-9028.
Photo caption: A few examples of zines in the ZAPP Zine Collection. Find more images at www.spl.org/Zines.