He Hiini - Zines Collection
Starting as a passion-project driven by staff who love making zines ("zinesters"), Hamilton City Libraries has been collecting zines mostly from local makers since 2016.
At Central Library, you can borrow a whole folio, which contains between 10 to 40 zines, for a period of 28 days. The zines are available on Level 2, located next to the Adult Graphic Novels section. For younger readers, Junior Zines can be found in the junior area on the same level.
Ngaa Koorero Tuku Iho - Heritage and Archives offers a small Heritage Zines Collection on Level 3, which features a selection of locally authored and based works; however, this collection is not available for loan.
What is a zine?
A zine is a self-published, small-run publication with original or appropriated writings and graphics, usually in a DIY style that can be easily reproduced. Zines are typically photocopied and distributed as physical reproductions, and are the work of a single individual or a very small group.
Where did zines originate?
Zines can be traced back to the 1930’s USA and the Science Correspondence Club and were used widely by sci-fi fandoms, from there they were embraced by the punk scene in the 1970’s as a counter to the mainstream media. Zines frequently explore subjects that are thought too delicate for the mainstream.
I am a zine maker - can you add my zine to your collection?
We are happy to accept donations of zines to be added to the collection. They can be dropped off at any of our libraries with a note, Donation - Attention Collections Staff. We can also receive zine donations via post:
Att: Libraries Collections Team
PO Box 933
Waikato Mail Centre
Hamilton Central
Hamilton 3240