Zine LIbrary

The Zine Library collects, describes and houses a large variety of zines, artist books, and comics, and serves the central mission of The Soapbox by reaching out to the community to promote the spirit of self publishing.

  • Out of an estimated 3,500 titles in the library, we’ve cataloged over 2,200 zines so far.

  • Donations have included items from Project Mobilivre, Chicago Zine Fest’s Library, zines from the collection of the musician Mirah, and a collection of 300 poetry chapbooks.

  • You can visit the zine library for reading and browsing! Open hours are Wednesdays from 5 - 9 PM and Sundays from 1 - 5 PM.

Explore our Catalog

Out of an estimated 3,500 titles in the library, we’ve cataloged over 2,200 zines so far. Our online catalog has grown thanks to our awesome and dedicated volunteers and interns

View Our Catalog

By donating zines to the Library, you are ensuring that the zines will be open to the public and promoted.

 

The Zine Library operates on the basis of donations, in the form of money, time and zines. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us and let us know. We offer ongoing training in cataloging zines and host group cataloging sessions. Cataloging is a great way to get to read zines and get to know our collection better!

If you are interested in donating zines — either that you have created or that you own — read on below!

  • The Zine Library works to promote self-publishing by offering examples of how zines are used to enhance self expression. We currently hold zines that vary widely in terms of both content and structure, and are always on the lookout for more. By donating zines to the Library, you are helping us further our goal.

    And let’s not forget, zines are to be read! By donating zines to the Library, you are ensuring that the zines will be open to the public and promoted.

  • Zines that come into the Library get cataloged and organized into collections by topic on our shelves. This enables Library patrons to find the zines and give them the attention they deserve.

  • In the overwhelming majority of cases, we do keep everything that is donated to us. There are situations, however, that we do not.

    Examples of why we might not keep a zine:

    Multiple Copies: If we already have more than two copies of a zine, we might not have the space to properly care for additional copies.

    If a particular topic is already heavily represented in the collection: We hope to have space to show the many subjects and topics zines continue to explore. To ensure that this is possible, some subjects that are well represented already might need to be returned to allow for other subjects.

    If the Library decides that any donated zines cannot be kept for any reason, we will happily contact the donor to ensure that the zines in question find a good home.

  • If you would like to donate zines to the Library, please take a moment to fill out one of the following two forms. Please Note: You can either print and return, or fill out and email.

    If you are donating zines that you have created: Zine Donation Form for Authors

    If you are donating zines that you have not created: Zine Donation Form for Non-Authors