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Zines at the Library of Congress

Zine Collections at the Library

Zines are housed in the general collections and can be requested online at the Library of Congress. The general collections include books, pamphlets, and bound (non-current) periodicals in all languages except some that use non-roman alphabets (e.g., Chinese, Arabic) and in all areas of the classification scheme except law, music, and maps/atlases.

For questions about the Library of Congress Zine Collection, e-mail [email protected]

How to Search + Find Zines

The following subject searches will lead to zine resources found in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. You can also search by title, creator, call number, or keyword using your own terms and phrases.

Requesting Zines Online

The following Library Reading Rooms and Research Centers have zine collections that can be requested online. Most zines added to the collections are now added to the General Collections and made accessible to anyone on-site with a Reader Identification Card.

Zines that came to the Library prior to the establishment of the official zine collection can be found throughout the Library, especially in the Newspaper & Periodical Reading Room. 

Requesting Zines from the General Collections

Anyone with a Reader Identification Card can request zines for delivery to and use in any General Collections reading room. For the list and location of General Collections reading rooms, select the [Research Centers] tab on the "Using the Library of Congress" page of this guide.

  • After locating materials in the online catalog, as long as the zine says "Request In: Jefferson or Adams Building," you will be able to request the material online using the [Request this Item] button.
  • For example, the following zine is eligible for delivery to the General Collections Reading Rooms, because it says "Request In: Jefferson or Adams Building" and the Status says, "Not Charged."  

Requesting Zines in the Performing Arts Reading Room

Zines whose subject matter falls within music or the performing arts can be requested online for delivery to the Performing Arts Reading Room. Please note: These items can only be delivered to the Performing Arts Reading Room.

  • For example, this zine is eligible for delivery to the Performing Arts Reading Room, LM133.

Requesting Zines in Person

The Library has zines throughout the collections, and some of these will need to be requested in-person in the Reading Room. The following Reading Rooms have zine collections available for in-person request:

Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room

Some zines are part of the Library's collection of serials, and therefore need to be requested in person the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room. The catalog record will tell you if you need to "Request In: Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room."

  • For example, this zine would need to be requested in person in the Newspaper and Current Periodical Reading Room, Madison Building, LM133.

Microfilm and Electronic Resources Center

Some zines have been digitized and made available online or on microfilm. Items on microfilm will direct you to "Request In: Microform & Electronic Resources Center."

  • For example, this zine would need to be requested in the Microform & Electronic Resources Center, Jefferson Building, LJ139.

Rare Book & Special Collections Reading Room

Some zines which are more rare or brittle may be housed in the Rare Book and Special Collections Reading Room. These zines will need to be requested in person in the "Rare Book and Special Collections Reading Room."

  • For example, this zine would need to be requested in person in the Rare Book & Special Collections Reading Room, LJ239.