Research Guides: Zines: Library Guide to Zines

Welcome to the OC Libraries Zine Guide

Resources on this first page link you to definitions, histories, and guides from other libraries.

Other pages offer links to zine culture introductions, templates & tutorials, starting points for your own creations, Intellectual Property guidance, and archives to look at the works of others. You will also find guidance on citing zines.

Lastly, there are links to resources for faculty considering how to use zines in their courses.

Use the tabs on the menu to explore the zine resources linked on this guide.

Photo credit: Giulia Bertelli on Unsplash

The Washington Center for the Book is currently hosting the 11th Annual Washington State Zine Contest!

Submissions are due March 27th 2026.

A Brief History of Zines
From Mental Floss
An Introduction to Zines from the Collins Library SPU
A guide from definition to distro
What Is a Zine?
From The Bindery
What Is a Zine? YouTube video
From A to Zine video answer
Why Use Zines in Research?
Zines are valuable primary source, but there are even more reasons to use zines in research.
Zine Basics
From Barnard College at Columbia University
Zines 101: History & Culture
Tracing the roots of independent self-expression back to Luther and the broadsheets of the American Revolution, this quick timeline highlights the social impact of self-published works.