The BPL Zine Box: Collection & Tool Kit

Introducing, The BPL Zine Box, a workshop toolbox and zine library to support library staff at Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) in bringing zine activities to their branches. Designed to engage a multi-generational public, our project will have an impact by making libraries sites not only for patrons to read materials, but to create them as well. 

Zines are a great tool for literacy, sharing experiences, and community storytelling. They are an accessible medium that can be scaled to fit specific program needs and capacities of library workers. By inviting patrons to create materials at library sites we are doing two things: expanding the concept of libraries as sites to get information and stories into sites for information and story production; and two, expanding the identity of patrons from consumers of information into producers or authors of their own information. 

Through the support of the BKLYN Incubator,  we have been working with our BPL partner at the Windsor Terrace Branch to create a project that would support two of Brooklyn Public Library’s core principles: 

1. To foster literacy and the love of learning.  
2. To provide inclusive and inspirational places. 

Since January 2024 we have been busy creating 3  Zine Boxes! Each box includes:

• A handbook that includes all information about zines, zine history, and how to run a zine workshop at a local branch.
• A zine library of approximately 20 zines—there are three curated collections: one for kids; one for teens; and one for adults. We focused on subjects that reflect the diversity of our Brooklyn borough: LGBTQ+, BLM, Latinx, AAPI, Feminism, and Brooklyn history. 
• A checklist of the zines is included, with a short description of the content in each. 
• Materials & tools to use in workshops: bone folders, scissors, awls, needle & thread, etc. 
• Ready-to-use signage to engage and direct workshop participants.
• Cute stickers to promote the program!

Because the tools necessary to create a zine are highly accessible–you can create a zine with a single sheet of paper–there is a vast history and contemporary practice that lifts voices from the margins of dominant cultural experiences. Zines give voice to the otherwise voiceless and make space for those who aren’t represented. Adding zine-making to BPL’s roster of programming will give library workers another program they can lean on to support their broad and diverse communities’ need for creating, making, and sharing stories. 

To support library workers we offered three workshops where we presented our project, demonstrated zine-making techniques, and answered all their questions about bringing The BPL Zine Box to their branches. 

These workshops were:

How to Teach Zines: The Basics

Want to bring zine-making to your branch? Attend this 2-hour workshop to learn the basics of zine-making and how to teach this exciting DIY practice to people in your community. We’ll start with some zine history, necessary materials, and best practices. Then, we’ll do some hands-on zine-making, using the one-page zine format. Lastly, we’ll cover topics like accommodating diverse ages and interest groups, as well as how to develop ideas for workshops. 

How to Teach Zines: Beyond on the Basics

Want to build your zine skills beyond the one-page technique? Attend this 2-hour workshop to learn how to create a half-letter, staple-bound zine, a pamphlet-stitched zine, and an accordion-folded zine. We will discuss layout & design approaches as well as project ideas. Bonus: we’ll share some DIY approaches to mark-making, and introduce the BPL Zine Box Program! 

How to Teach Zines: Programming Ideas

Looking for creative approaches to zine-making that connect to your community? This 2-hour workshop will dive into programming ideas, community zine projects, and creative mark-making. We’ll make some time to share classroom management approaches, and introduce the BPL Zine Box Program! 

Brooklyn Zine-In: Make Zines, Make History

June 22, 2024, 1-4pm

Brooklyn Zine-In where you will learn how to make your own zine, pick up free copies of zines and limited edition stickers, view special zine-related materials from the Center for Brooklyn History’s collection and contribute to the Brooklyn Zine-In Community Zine, a collection of stories from BPL staff and patrons. All zine-making materials will be provided, but you are welcome to bring any of your own images, stickers, stamps, markers, or other materials that you’d like to use.

Three additional workshops will be offered to the public to generate increased awareness and interest in zines and zine-making, and ideally will support The BPL Zine Box’s impact when activated by branch libraries. These workshops will run in the fall of 2024, and we will post them here once they are scheduled.