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Special Collections: Zines

Zines!

Zines
Image: Jessie Lynn McMains

We have a new and exciting collection of zines available to browse in the Materials Room. These range from some of the earliest punk titles like Sniffin' Glue to lots of new examples in many shapes and sizes and covering a huge array of subjects, ideas and perspectives.

Digital Zines

This is a list of links to zines, and zine collections. Some are available in a digital format.

Zines on Flickr

What are Zines?

Zines are a way individuals or small groups can share their particular interests or obsessions. Created against the flow of mainstream publishing, the zine is an opportunity for self-expression, especially for alternative ideas and lifestyles.

In the past, content included subcultural fashion and music, political ideas or club football news. The term fanzine (sometimes used) originally combined the concepts of fan club and magazine.

The zine is a self-published, non-commercial, cheaply produced, low circulation magazine. Content may be typed, handwritten, drawn, photographed – often printed on a photocopier, stapled, folded or bound with simple stitches.

We have an amazing range of zines as part of our special collections, housed in our Materials Room. A list of zines we hold is available from the link at the bottom left of the page.

Examples include Sniffin Glue, a punk publication from 1970s and Vague – a play on mainstream Vogue.  We also have many contemporary zines, including titles produced here at Middlesex by art and design students.

For more information please come down to the Materials Room (Sheppard Library Basement) which is usually open during term-time from Monday to Friday 12pm – 3pm.

Access to the Materials Room

 

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The Materials Room is usually open from 12pm to 3pm Monday to Friday during term-time for University staff and students. Please see the box below for the weekly opening times.

Please contact the email ACILibrarian@mdx.ac.uk to make an appointment outside these hours but still within our core hours on Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm, or for more information about the using the Special Collections.
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More Zines