Anchor Archive Zine Library Policies

Open hours

  • please be respectful of the space and the volunteer working
  • racism, sexism, homophobia, etc will not be tolerated
  • please keep music and noise to a minimum when folks are reading/browsing the collection
  • no animals in the house during open hours
  • kitchen is for use of volunteer only
  • young children must be supervised by an adult
  • be aware that although this is an all ages space, there is adult content in our zine collection and no filters on the computer, and volunteers are not responsible for monitoring how patrons use the collection or internet.
  • no smoking on the stoop or near the windows

Computer

  • computer/internet is available for everyone
  • priority goes to catalogue searches and checking out zines
  • second priority goes to volunteers doing work for the zine library or social centre
  • suggested time limit 10-15 minutes for computer use (unless no one else is waiting)
  • do not save anything on the computer. It’ll get deleted
  • printing costs 10cents per sheet of b&w, 25cents for colour. Money goes in donation box

Zine-making tools

  • tools include long-armed stapler, heavy-duty stapler, papercutter, typewriters, inkstamps, gluesticks
  • people are welcome to use these tools in the library space
  • tools may be removed from the library for use in zinemaking workshops, but they should be signed out in Zine Library binder and returned before the next open hours

Membership

  • must be member to borrow zines or work shifts
  • zines can only be borrowed in person, not through the mail
  • costs either $2-10 or a donated zine
  • members need to register with a username password, and contact information in the library catalogue

Borrowing

  • zines can be borrowed for 3 weeks
  • limit of 13 zines total out (with exceptions for special projects)
  • phone calls and/or emails will remind you of overdue items
  • if zines are not returned for 6 months, no additional zines can be borrowed until zines are returned, replaced, or paid for
  • replacement value for lost zines is $5 each
  • members are responsible for returning zines themselves – don’t leave it for a roommate or friend to do
  • enjoy the items in our reference collection here only (this includes books, A/V items, and certain zines)

Zine donations

  • we accept donations of self-published, non-commercial zines!
  • nothing considered hate literature or with a racist/homophobic/sexist message will be kept
  • 2 copies only will be included in the library
  • extra zines will be given away or recycled
  • posters and pamphlets are also collected, but kept in a special box

Distro

  • we mainly sell local zines at the Anchor Archive
  • if you want, send one copy for consideration (and a donation to the library)
  • zines sold either have the money donated to the library, or are bought up front at a rate to be determined.

Acquisitions

  • we try to collect zines that are different from what's already in the collection
  • we encourage patrons to make requests (for specific zines or subject areas) and will try to find zines that fill these gaps

Keys

  • the open hours coordinator is responsible for making sure that the volunteer can get into the space for open hours if they don’t have a key
  • a list of emergency door openers will be posted on the door
  • after working 4 shifts, volunteers can request a key from the open hours coordinator
  • after 1 year without working a shift, a key will be revoked
  • key deposit is $20, returned when key is returned

Volunteer training

  • new volunteers should attend a training session to orientate them on how the zine library is run and library policies
  • training sessions on working at the zine library will be held once every 3 months or as needed
  • other training sessions for volunteers will be held on semi-regular basis on cataloguing, teaching zinemaking workshops, and other zine library activities

Zine requests from people far away

  • Zines can only be borrowed by people who visit the Zine Library in person. We do not allow borrowing through the mail.

  • If someone asks to borrow a zine through the mail we will suggest that they contact the zine author instead. If it is determined that the zine is not available from the author or another means, Anchor Archive volunteers may offer to photocopy the requested zine and send it to the requester for a suggested donation based on photocopying and postage costs.