Zine Collection

A zine (pronounced “ZEEN”, short for magazine) is a self-published, small-circulation booklet or pamphlet. Because they bypass traditional publishing gatekeepers, zines are famously difficult to define—and that is entirely by design.

At its core, a zine is an independent publication created by individuals or small collectives who feel strongly enough about a topic to write, design, illustrate, print, and distribute their own work. They serve as a vital cornerstone of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) culture, underground art, and grassroots journalism.

Defining Characteristics:

• Flexible Physical Formats: Typically a small, photocopied pamphlet or folded booklet, but they can be any size, page length, binding style, or design.
• Underground & Alternative Subjects: Frequently amplifies marginalized voices and covers niche, counterculture, or hyper-local subjects overlooked by mainstream media.
• Labor of Love, Not Profit: Non-commercial works created for community building and self-expression rather than financial gain.
• Creative Autonomy: Driven by the intense passion of their creators, a commitment to unedited free speech, and deep roots in the do-it-yourself ethos.

Whether they are personal diaries, manifestos, independent comic books, or music fan magazines, zines give everyday people the power to document their own history.

The mission of the Jacksonville Public Library Zine Collection is to curate, circulate, and preserve alternative media resources that reflect the true diversity of our city. By building a dedicated zine archive, we provide a permanent home for the voices within our community.

As living spaces for community preservation and creative expression, we use these unique primary sources to:

• Promote Media Literacy: Give library users the opportunity to critically analyze mainstream narratives and explore diverse, grassroots perspectives.
• Preserve Grassroots History: Reflect local culture, independent art, and community stories that might otherwise be lost to time.
• Foster Civic Pride: Help residents gain a broader appreciation for the rich cultural tapestry of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.
• Empower Content Creators: Inspire readers to see themselves as authors. We want to equalize the publishing process and empower everyday people to create, print, and contribute their own unique work to our shelves.

By maintaining this circulating collection, we bridge the gap between historical preservation and active community engagement. We ensure that the library collection evolves alongside the living culture of our city.

We are always accepting new submissions! We welcome zines of all shapes, sizes, and formats—whether hand-drawn, handwritten, photocopied and stapled at home, or professionally printed.

#Selection Criteria

Acceptance is guided by the official Jacksonville Public Library Collection Development Policy. We evaluate submissions based on:

• Public interest and community relevance
• Clear presentation and readability
• Artistic or literary merit
• Scarcity of material on the specific subject matter
• Local or regional authorship (Northeast Florida creators are highly prioritized!)

#How to Submit Your Zine

You can donate your work at any time using one of two easy methods:

1. In-Person Drop-Off: Visit any of our 21 Jacksonville Public Library branches and hand your donation to the service desk.
2. By Mail: Send submissions directly to our main archive:

#Required Submission Details

Include these details clearly written on your zine or on an accompanying note:

• Author / Artist Name(s): Who created the work?
• Volume Number / Issue: If applicable.
• Publication Year: When was it printed?
• Contact Info: Your current email address.

#Optional (But Highly Recommended) Additions

• Multiple Copies: Consider donating 2 or 3 copies so we can keep the collection well-stocked.
• Creative Commons Licensing: Write the phrase “CC BY-NC-ND 4.0” anywhere on your zine. This official license lets us print backup copies of your work:

This license allows us to:

1. Replace lost or damaged zines on the circulating shelves.
2. Add a permanent copy to our archival Florida Zine Collection.
3. Share your work through our Bookmobile outreach programs and community Learning Services events.

Note: Choosing not to include a Creative Commons license will not affect our decision to include your donation in the main Zine Collection.

#Creator and Preservation Resources

• Creative Commons Attributions: Learn how to legally protect, format, and share your independent work using non-commercial copyright standards.
• Jacksonville Public Library Memory Lab: Visit the 4th floor of the Main Library to use our scanners and editing equipment to format your zines into digital files.
• Guide to Self-Publishing a Digital Version of Your Zine: Explore free tools and digital platforms available to library cardholders to distribute your indie e-books online.