Posted 4:58 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2025
New Acquisitions and Exciting Collaborations
By Mike Olson
The Murphy Library Zine Reading Room (Murphy 113) has been a hub of activity this semester as we continue to build our collection and engage with both campus and community. From acquiring new zines at regional festivals to participating in local events, we're excited to share our recent developments and upcoming opportunities.
Midwest Zine Fests: Expanding Our Collection
In the past month, we had the opportunity to table at the St. Cloud Zine Fest and the Milwaukee Zine Fest. These vibrant gatherings of zine creators from across the Midwest and beyond provided the perfect opportunity to expand our collection with unique works that showcase diverse perspectives and creative approaches to self-publishing. We were especially excited to connect with the Queer Zine Archive Project (QZAP)!
On Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 11am to 4pm we’ll be tabling at Madison Print & Resist at the Central Library in downtown Madison.
Community Engagement: CAZINEO at Gallery Sweet208
The Zine Reading Room was thrilled to participate in CAZINEO, a zine reading party, at Gallery Sweet 208 above the Amtrak station in La Crosse, Saturday, March 29. The event showcased zines from both established and emerging creators, highlighting the democratic nature of zine-making and the importance of preserving and promoting independent publishing. This collaboration demonstrated how academic library zine collections can interface with the broader creative community, breaking down barriers between campus and city.
Zine Reading with OPE! Publishing at Pearl Street Books
Thursday, April 3rd we attended a zine reading from OPE! Publishing at Pearl Street Books in downtown La Crosse. OPE! focuses on unearthing local art, words, and culture through the zine format. The evening featured a reading from Rachel MacFarland’s Riding Over Land, about her experience with public transit, especially trains. The event provided a welcome opportunity for local zine creators and public transit enthusiasts to connect.
Murphy Library collects all of OPE!’s publications in both our Special Collections and the ZRR.
More Murphy Library Zine Resources
Books
Ebooks
Video
$100 and a T-Shirt: A Documentary About Zines in the Northwest
Academic Innovation: The Shifting Landscape of Zines in Libraries
In perfect timing with our growing initiative, the March 2025 issue of College & Research Libraries features an insightful article titled "The Role of Academic Libraries in the Shifting Landscape of Zines" by Evan Bobrow. This piece explores how academic libraries are innovating with zines and addresses the cultural shifts surrounding this unique medium.
The article reinforces our approach at Murphy Library, where we see zines as valuable resources that complement traditional academic materials. As Bobrow discusses in the article, zines occupy a special place in library collections, offering perspectives often missing from scholarly publications and creating opportunities for deeper community engagement.
Impact Across Campus
This semester, the Zine Reading Room has hosted classes from across disciplines, including:
- Education students exploring zines for school, society, and teachers
- Environmental Studies – Topics in Environmental Justice class examining alternative publishing formats for activism and advocacy
- Spanish courses in Global & Responsive Citizenship and Artistic Expression & Society in the Spanish-Speaking World analyzing zines as platforms for marginalized voices
These interdisciplinary connections highlight how zines can enhance teaching and learning in various academic contexts, supporting our library's mission to provide diverse resources for research and creative exploration.
Resource Development
To support users engaging with our zine collection, we've created a comprehensive zine resource guide that serves as a foundation for our ongoing work to integrate zines into the academic environment while honoring their DIY ethos and cultural significance.
Visit our Zine Library Guide for resources and more, including:
- Zine History and Context: Learn about the rich history of zines and their cultural significance
- Make Your Own Zines: Find resources on how to create, reproduce, and distribute your own zines
- Find Zines Online: Discover digital zine collections and repositories
- Zine Events and Festivals: Stay updated on zine-related events locally and nationally
- Zine Distros and Publishers: Learn where to purchase zines or submit your own work
Whether you're a seasoned zinester or just getting started, this guide offers valuable information to support your interest in zines.
Zine Submission Opportunities
We strongly believe in fostering zine creation alongside collection and preservation. For those inspired to create their own zines, here are several current submission opportunities:
Submit to the Murphy Library Zine Collection
We're actively building our collection and have received welcome submissions from students, faculty, staff, and community members. Your zine will become part of our browsing collection, available for others to discover and engage with. All topics, formats, and styles are welcome! To submit your zine to our collection, please visit the Zine Reading Room or email Mike (molson3@uwlax.edu).
Local Call for Submissions
Driftless Dream Zine
There's an exciting opportunity for transgender and gender non-conforming folks living in the Driftless region to contribute to Trans on the Land’s Driftless Dream Zine project. This collaborative publication aims to highlight experiences, stories, and creative expressions of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals and their relationship with the land in our unique geographical area.
To learn more and submit your work, please fill out this Google Form by May 1 HERE.
Sinews
The upcoming La Crosse-based monthly radical action and revolutionary optimism zine SINEWS is accepting submissions. Interested? Email: sinewscollective@proton.me
External Opportunities
The Doorkeeper Art Zine
This new art zine explores the intersection of art, philosophy, and poetry. They welcome submissions from artists, writers, and philosophers, with each issue following a specific theme. The submission deadline is May 31, 2025. More information is available HERE.
Zine Pavilion at ALA
The American Library Association annual conference is hosting a Zine Pavilion and looking for contributions. Mail your zines to: Zine Pavilion c/o Ben Wildflower Art, PO BOX 4798, Philadelphia PA 19134. Your zines will be seen by thousands of library workers at ALA 2025!
Looking Forward
As we continue to develop the Zine Reading Room, we're committed to:
- Acquiring zines that represent diverse voices and experiences
- Creating opportunities for hands-on learning through workshops and events
- Building partnerships with campus and community organizations
- Supporting original zine creation by students, faculty, and community members
Your ideas and feedback are essential to this process! Whether you're interested in donating zines, proposing a workshop, or simply learning more about this unique medium, we welcome your involvement.
Visit the Murphy Library Zine Reading Room and follow our updates for information about upcoming events and new acquisitions. For more information, contact Mike (molson3@uwlax.edu).