The Latest News from the Zine Archive
For the last month, the ZAPP Committee has continued to meet biweekly to ensure a coherent re-opening of the zine archive. With library and ZAPP interns we’ve organized a checklist with that goal in mind, of which two major steps have been fulfilled: the original collection has been re-shelved and the copy machine has been brought up from the basement (no easy feat). The interns are playing a huge part in planning the shape and feel of the new space—very important for ensuring an accessible and welcoming library—as well as making a clear path for the volunteers that will soon be needed to keep hours, catalogue, learn and educate. Our current sense is that we’ve still got some significant work to do before reopening, but the energy and excitement is growing as the shape of things becomes apparent.
The most recent count on the collection by interns is 20,000
plus zines and 2,000-plus mini-comics, an awesome indication of the value of
this archive. This week, with the help of Audrey Zekonis, former Hugo House grantwriter, we’re sending out an application for
a grant that could fund archival development, research and preservation. We’ve
also received much support from zinesters, librarians, archivists and
historians in
As before, we’re interested in accepting volunteers and plan to have lots of
scheduling in the next month or so. Please contact any of the committee members
for general information, but see Kate Lebo (katelebo@hugohouse.org) for volunteer
opportunities, and if you have more specific questions or interests, Nora Mukaihata
(noramukaihata@hugohouse.org)
is available on Wednesdays from 2–6 p.m. at Richard Hugo House.
Thanks for all your support,
ZAPP Committee
