We are delighted to announce a new circulating collection in Rotch Library. The zine collection is now available to the community. It is small but mighty, and we are excited to grow the collection. Learn a bit more about the collection, how to access it, and more below.
What is a zine?
Zines are self-published works by either a single person or a group and are usually reproduced via a copy machine for circulation. There are also digital zines.
The Libraries have made a significant investment to create a new physical collection, because it is pedagogically important for the community. When this collection made its debut at the 2020 Books and Bites event at Rotch Library, faculty were very interested in incorporating zines into their courses. Thanks to the efforts of many library staff, the collection is now available for circulation.
How do I find the circulating zine collection?
When you enter Rotch Library, the collection is located between the DVDs and Reference collections in the Map Room right under the stairs.
How do I search for zines in the catalog?
Circulating and non-circulating zines may be located via Search Our Collections (for materials in print collections) and MIT ArchivesSpace (for zines in manuscript collections).
The collection on the shelf is just the tip of the iceberg of the zines available in Distinctive Collections. There are zines in the archives that you can explore and view in the DDC reading room. You can request them through the Distinctive Collections Request System or contact Distinctive Collections for a research consultation.
How do I check zines out?
You can check out individual zines for one week, and loans are renewable up to three times. When using the collection in the library, do not return them to the shelves; leave them in designated return areas (in-house use carts and baskets, or at the service desk) so that we can measure in-house usage.
Can I put zines on reserve for classes?
Yes. You can! Please review Course Reserve details for faculty:
- Submit a new request via the MIT Coop AIP (Adoption Ingest Portal)
- Required textbooks will be added to the Libraries’ course reserves.
We are looking to grow the collection and incorporate it into curricula. If your class creates zines for an assignment or would like to work with a librarian on incorporating a zine activity, contact an expert librarian for further assistance. If you have suggestions for the collection, please suggest a purchase.
Special thanks to all the Libraries’ staff and student workers that helped get this collection to the shelves.
Kai Alexis Smith
Amy Chase
Ben Abrahamse
Jaclyn Wilson
Jeremiah Graves
Martina Anderson
Deborah Lenares
Marcella Tam
Jana Dambrogio
Tania Hewes
Felicity Walsh
Caitlin Canfield
Kendall Dawson
Caroline Chea
Syd Robinson
Ryan Cader
and former MIT staff that helped start the collection, including Michelle Baildon and Rhonda Kauffman.
