UMKC’s zine collection is a key resource for academic research, especially in English and literature courses. The zines are used to explore topics in print culture, rhetoric and other areas.
The LaBudde Special Collections is home to a significant archive of zines. These self-published magazines showcase the heart of the underground culture through original art, poetry and displays of activism.
The collection now includes over 2,900 cataloged zines, with new additions regularly. The collection spans a broad time frame, from the 1920s to the present, though most are from the 1990s and early 2000s.
The collection highlights the diversity and creativity of various subcultures, from punk rock to feminist movements. It also inspires creative projects, offering insights into the movements that shaped these works.
UMKC’s zine collection is a key resource for academic research, especially in English and literature courses. The zines are used to explore topics in print culture, rhetoric and other areas.
Anthony LaBat, a UMKC alumnus and current curator at LaBudde, began his journey with zines as a graduate assistant. His first major project involved processing the Rachel Kauffman Zine Collection and the Kansas City Zine Collective.
LaBat recalled how this work shaped his career.
“My introduction to archives was deeply tied to zines, and I grew to appreciate their unique value through this experience,” said Labat.
Cataloging zines presents unique challenges. Each zine covers a unique subject, making group classifications difficult.
At the collection’s inception in 2015, LaBat and his team developed subject terms on the fly. Since that inception, they have introduced more standardized practices though the complexity of zine content still requires careful consideration.
“They are artifacts that have a distinct representation of a moment in time, They are artifacts that have a distinct representation of a moment in time, ” LaBat said..“They need multiple subjects to capture their full scope.”
Stuart Hinds, another curator at LaBudde, also shares a personal relationship to the collection.
“As a younger person in college in the early 80s, most of my friends were art kids, and they regularly made zines,” said Hinds, “I feel that they are quite ephemeral and tend to not get preserved.”
Each zine is a rare item, only a few are ever printed. LaBat noted that their uniqueness makes them valuable to the archive.
The collection continues to grow thanks to community donations. A significant boost came after the Kansas City Zine Convention in 2015, leading to the acquisition of several zine collections.
LaBudde remains open to new contributions, ensuring that zine culture is preserved for future study. Those interested in donating can contact the Special Collections team or visit in person on the third floor of Miller-Nichols Library.
For more information about Zines on campus, take a look at last semester’s UMKC Gallery of Art’s zine exhibition.
