The NewPages Zine Rack
Reviews by Sean Stewart
Number Five: Special Edition
(Posted May 20, 2002)
Welcome to a special edition of the Zine Rack! This column includes zines that have been published by former and current librarians, library workers, and library school students. Some of the zines discuss libraries and library work in them, while others do not. Personally, I think librarians and zines are a perfect match, seeing as both typically represent free expression of ideas and intellectual freedom. So, I hope that you enjoy the column this time around, and that you find some zines to order!
Number 9
This wanders into abstract territory, but the basic structure revolves around being on tour with a punk band or bands. Content ranges from analysis and critique of the punk community to the vented thoughts of an older punk trapped in a smelly van with younger peers. I liked america? primarily because I could relate to much of what Travis writes about. I think that part of growing older as a punk means that you end up looking much more closely at the dynamics and motivations behind what punk is and what punks do. So, I found myself nodding a lot as I read this, identifying with the highs and lows of the punk community and the feeling of ambiguous idealism that is so ingrained within it. Recommended reading for aging punks and other interested folks. [4.25” x 5.5”, $1 to Travis Fristoe, PO Box 13077, Gainesville, FL 32604-1077, obscurist@hotmail.com].
February 2001
Tara includes a mixture of library facts and anecdotes, personal insights, and color photos of DeKalb Public Library in this 71-page mini. There is a lot of information in here, and most of it centers on libraries and library work. I could identify with some of the more personal articles, particularly when Tara discusses being almost 30 and still feeling unsure of her future. Her seemingly love-hate relationship with the library where she works was kind of hard to figure out, though. I also felt that she was making assumptions about libraries, librarians, and library work based almost solely upon her experiences at DeKalb Public. Still, this is an informative zine that offers one person’s unique views on libraries and librarians. [4.25” x 5.5”, $2 to Tara Moyle, 2621 Stuart Ave. #34, Richmond, VA 23220, taramoyle@hotmail.com].
January 2002
Issue 3
“Three More Weeks.” This is a highly personable autobiographical comic drawn by Greig Means, librarian at the Independent Publishing Resource Center in Portland. Nothing extraordinary happens in here; it’s full of simple events and routines that occur in Greig’s daily life. For some reason, reading this made me feel all warm inside, and, at the same time, made me envious of Greig’s life. Working in a zine library, drawing comix at night, and even doing housework like vacuuming and washing dishes all seem to complete a well-rounded life that would suit me just fine. Only problem is that I can’t draw very well. Greig, on the other hand, creates expressive artwork that provides an excellent complement to the text of his storylines. For all of the above reasons, this has quickly become one of my new favorite comix! Highly recommended. [5.5” x 8.5”, $1 (I think) to Clutch, PO Box 12409, Portland, OR 97212].
Number 31
This thick volume tells the remarkable story of a public access cable TV series created by Donny Smith that turned into a battle over first amendment rights and the public’s access to cable television. The series took on much greater proportions than originally expected, even ending up as a political weapon in the Nebraska gubernatorial election race. As the controversy over the series raged in the community, Donny and his cohorts continued airing episodes that began to satirize the whole situation. This is a fascinating detailed account from the point of view of the creator, who shares personal journal entries, hate mail, letters of support, and numerous summaries of relevant newspaper articles. Also included are poems, dream descriptions, and scripts from episodes of the TV series. One of the amazing things about zines is that they enable stories like this to be told. Highly recommended. [5.5” x 8.5”, $4, free to prisoners: Donny Smith, Box 411, Swarthmore, PA 19081, dwanzine@hotmail.com, http://www.geocities.com/dwanzine].
Number 5
All right! More irreverent fun from the friendly folks at Library Bonnet! I’m happy to report that they have not lost their edge at all. This issue contains several personal articles by Julie, as well as a couple from Tommy. Also included are more of the outrageous drawings and bizarre collages that are a staple of this zine. One of my personal favorites in this issue was the “Drawing Duel,” where Tommy and Julie each had a minute to complete a drawing of a specific object or living thing, ranging from a guinea pig to a pumpkin. Another highlight was the illustrated story, “A Chilling Encounter.” Julie and Tommy are completely unapologetic in their humor, and that’s what makes Library Bonnet so great. These folks single-handedly eradicate all traditional librarian stereotypes with their cover art alone! Order one for yourself, and read it with an open mind. [5.5” x 8.5”, $2 cash to Library Bonnet, 1315-I N. Tustin #259, Orange, CA 92867, fulie_4j@yahoo.com].
2001
Number 2
This is a perzine by Celia Perez, who is now a librarian at a prominent Midwest university library. She wrote most of this issue while in her last semester of library school, and still feeling uncertain about her future. The zine includes thoughts on the idea of ‘home’, how interests grow and link to each other, observations on fellow bus passengers, and two journal entries about academia and its effects on perceptions and life experiences. I related to a lot of what Celia wrote about, having just finished library school myself, and feeling a bit unsure of my own future. There are universal themes in here that, I imagine, many readers will also relate to. [5.5” x 4.25”, trade, 2 stamps, or $1 to Celia Perez, 2527 N. California Ave., 1S, Chicago IL, 60647, perezeeb@yahoo.com, see also her zine distro: Frieda loves Diego].
Number 7
To begin with, this includes some heavy emotional content. Jerianne has spent much of the last year dealing with the death of her sister, the suicide of her brother-in-law, and a troubling period of unemployment following her move back to Tennessee. This issue of her perzine chronicles many of the ups and downs she experienced during this time. It’s well written and gives deep insight into Jerianne’s personality and thinking processes. The zine ends on an upswing, where Jerianne reports that she’s been offered a reference clerk position in a public library. Also included is an informative section on writing your own will, and a page of zine recommendations. [5.5” x 8.5”, $2 cash or trade (write for trade options, back issues available for $1): Jerianne, PO Box 330156, Murfreesboro, TN 37133-0156, jerianne@undergroundpress.org].
Number 3
The Books Issue
This issue of Transom is a compilation of book review columns by different people, and each column is organized around a particular theme. Jackie (the editor) reviews books on work experiences, books by Betty MacDonald, and paperback career romance novels. Alden Scott Crow relates Judy Blume’s novel Deenie to his experience wearing an orthopedic back brace. J.P. Zenger discusses four classic right-wing paperbacks. As a conclusion to the issue, Jackie includes a bibliography of biographical or semi-biographical movies based on writers’ lives. Although this zine is from 1999, it still contains some great ideas for reading material! The next issue of Transom is destined to include a report on the results of Jackie’s library survey. It should be a great read! [5.5” x 8.5”, $1 cash or trade to Transom, PO Box 77716, Seattle, WA 98177-0716].
Words
That Soak Up Life:
A Reading Compilation Zine
2001
Editor Celia Perez has put together quite a project here. This zine includes almost 100 pages of personal reflections on the act of reading from 23 contributors, several of whom are librarians. It’s fascinating to read about the different ways that books and libraries have influenced such a diverse group of people. Many contributors also share the most influential books they’ve read and include suggested reading lists. This is truly a one-of-a-kind zine, and should appeal to anyone who loves to read! [5.5” x 8.5”, $3 to $5 on sliding scale (proceeds go to either the Women’s Prison Book Project or FirstBook) to Celia Perez, 2527 N. California Ave., 1S, Chicago IL, 60647, perezeeb@yahoo.com]
Winter 2002
Number 1
What a cool zine! Greig has solicited reports from seven zine librarians (including himself!) around the U.S., Canada, and England. Each librarian shares her or his experiences with running a zine library, including both the positive and negative aspects. Running throughout this zine is a common thread of work enjoyment similar to what I hear and read about in the mainstream library community. Reports come from the Civic Media Center in Florida, the Independent Publishing Resource Center in Oregon, and the Salt Lake City Public Library in Utah, just to name a few. The zine is illustrated with intriguing clip-art, and reports range in format from comix to handwritten and cut-and-pasted. Includes a directory to zine libraries at the end. [5.5” x 8.5”, $1 to Zine Librarian Zine, PO Box 12409, Portland OR, 97212, zinelibrarian@yahoo.com].