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While several of the zine collections now established in libraries across the country
(Chip Rowe's The Book of Zines website provides an excellent directory of zine
libraries) contain significant holdings of women's zines, this listing is limited to those
zine collections that collect only zines by women, girls, and women-identified
people. Please note that the contents of archival collections do not circulate.
Collections at the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture
As in all special collections libraries, visitors wishing to access the Bingham Center's
zine collections will need to register with the staff of the RBMSCL (a photo I.D. will be
requested). The materials may only be read in the designated reading room (RBMSCL hours).
Ailecia Ruscin Zine Collection, 1994-2001 and n.d.
This southern, feminist, queer activist/scholar is the author of Alabama Grrrl
and a major collector of activism-oriented zines. Ruscin continues to send additions to what
is already a substantial archival collection (over 750 items). This collection currently lacks a finding aid.
Arielle Greenberg zines and correspondence, 1993-1998 and n.d.
The newest addition to the Bingham Center's zine holdings, this collection of
over 600 items was assembled by the editor of the popular culture zine William Wants a
Doll. This collection currently lacks a finding aid.
Bitch Records, 1996-2003 and n.d.
To date, this collection and its three additions contain materials pertaining to
Bitch's publication from 1996-2003. The production records gathered here include
editorial correspondence, article drafts, page layouts, and promotional materials, as well
as a complete run of the magazine (through 2003). This collection's finding aid is available
online.
Bust Records, 1993-2000 (bulk 1995-1999).
Beginning with the very first photocopied issue in 1993, this collection documents
the behind-the-scenes activities of one of the few women's zines that has managed to make
the jump from underground zine to well-known glossy magazine. In addition to the expected
production materials, this collection contains a complete run of the magazine (through 2000)
and a substantial amount of correspondence from fans. This collection, which is still being
added to, currently lacks a finding aid.
Sarah Dyer Zine Collection, 1974-2000.
Created in 1992, Dyer's Action Girl Newsletter (and later Action Girl
Guide) was the leading, if not the only, source for reviews of women's zines. Over the
course of its publication, Dyer received over 1500 zines from young girls and women across
the United States, as well as from Canada and the United Kingdom. In 2000, Dyer donated the
majority of her collection to the Bingham Center. This collection's finding aid is available online.
Sarah Wood Zine Collection, 1990s.
Wood ran GERLL Press, a Chicago-based zine "distro" (distributor), in the early-
to mid-1990s. Her collection of 100 items contains complete, or near-complete, runs of core women's and
grrrls' zines. This collection currently lacks a finding aid.
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Barnard College Library Zine Collection.
(website)
Established as a circulating collection, Barnard's collection focuses on zines
produced by urban women and grrrls, particularly those in the New York City area. A portion
of the collection was donated by Celia Perez, author of the influential zines Picaflor
and I Dreamed I Was Assertive. Materials are not available electronically, but the
website contains instructions on how to search the catalog for zine titles.
San Diego State University West Coast Zine Collection. Bulk 1985-present.
(website)
This collection was established by Elke Sobl, one of the first scholars to study women's zines and the creator of the
Grrrl Zine Network. The finding aid for this collection, which is open to donations, is available online.
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