ZLuC 2024 Code of Conduct

The Zine Librarians unConference (ZLuC) is a safer space, which means that it is intended to be a welcoming, engaging, and supportive environment free of oppressive actions, behaviors, and language. Participants are asked to consider how their language and behavior impacts others in attendance.

Harassing or abusive language or behavior will not be tolerated at ZLuC, including but not limited to:

• Racism, sexism, classism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, and all other forms of discrimination
• Sexual harassment, stalking, or intimidation
• Inappropriate physical contact
• Disruptive or disrespectful behavior
• Action or language that makes other participants feel unwelcome or unsafe

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Should an issue arise with a participant before the event, ZLuC organizers will listen to concerns and attempt to find a non-carceral solution that is in the best interests of the community and the event being a safer space. ZLuC organizers reserve the right to limit attendance to the event for any reason.

Should an issue arise with a participant during the fest, ZLuC organizers will be available to mediate on-site and attempt to find a solution. ZLuC organizers reserve the right to ask any participants who are violating the safer space policy to change or address their unsafe behavior or language, or to leave the event. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please notify one of the ZLuC organizers immediately.

We expect participants to follow these rules at all ZLuC event venues, including social events.

The ZLuC 2024 call for proposals ended April 30th. The information below is being saved for posterity (and maybe future ZLuC discussions!).

_________

The Programming Brigade is loving the proposals so far, and has some ideas to encourage folks to sign up to share.

Instruction/Outreach-themed Session Ideas

• Zine syllabi for college courses– have you taught or participated in a semester-long course focused on zines? Share your syllabi!
• One-shot shares– do you teach with zines in any kind of setting where you only get about an hour with the learners? Bring your strategies/activities, like Zine-go, Six Degrees of Kathleen Hanna [this is a made-up exercise that doesn’t exist yet], or  others to share and discuss.
• My favorite student-created zine– In theory, if you are working with instructors whose students create zines, they should be sharing some of the outcomes with you. (just a thought!) Bring your favorite student-created zine to admire and celebrate.
• Wholesome Zines for Youths– Do you work with folks under 18 and want to spread the joy of zines without cusses or explicit content? What strategies do you have, and what kinds of zines do you share? Help build a kid-friendly reading list! Bring a copy or two if you have good ones to share! This session is about centering kids’ interests and comfort levels, not censoring the content.

Zine-making WITH technology –

• Milo from QZAP will talk about using Adobe InDesign for zine layout.
• Do you use Canva?
• Google docs? Some unnamed third thing? Share your tips?

Eff the System- Strategies for zine libraries in repressive times 

• Are you a library worker facing threats and repercussions related to zines in your library, content of zines, activism related to zines, or other repression of political expression?
• Share your stories and strategies; ask for help and ideas for supporting vulnerable library workers/libraries; how to support library users; supporting zine creators
• Proactive ways to use zines in libraries as sites of resistance
• Strategies for not getting in trouble while using zines as political speech

Brag-a-thon / Rag-a-thon 

• Did you do something awesome? Share how u done it good.
• Did you fail spectacularly or have regrets? Share how u might do it differently. Getting things wrong is how we learn together!

The 2024 ZLuC BIPOC Travel Grant application closed May 1. Awardees will be notified the week of May 13th, 2024.

Violet Fox will be organizing donations to support this fund, so please consider a contribution.  Violet can be found at:

• Paypal: @violetbfox  direct link: paypal.me/violetbfox
• Venmo: @violetfox
• Cashapp: $violetbfox

Please mention “ZLUC” in the notes! If you’d like to arrange an alternate form of payment, email violetfox@gmail.com

The Zine Librarians unConference community is overwhelmingly in support of charging a registration fee so that organizers can have a realistic sense of attendance, as well as to fund the BIPOC travel grant [link to come] and other unconference costs.

Based on discussions held at an “all-staff” meeting (to which all ZLuC volunteers were invited), we have determined that the lowest recommended registration fee will be $10. (Email the organizers if that amount is prohibitive!)

This is our recommended sliding scale. (We’re not going to audit your books!)

Conference coordinators Gina, Jenna, and Lauren will share expenses and spending reports to the group at regular intervals and by request (with some lead time). Any funds left over at the end of the event will be used for travel grants for ZLuC 2025.

Introduction

The impetus to update how the (un)conference is run is that zine librarianship has evolved substantially since the first ZLuC, which was held in 2009. Zine librarians and archivists have discussed and enacted programs, instruction, cataloging, etc., based on these last 15 years’ worth of informal events. We’d like to keep the open spirit of the unconference alive by blending proposals as warranted (no proposal will be rejected) and playing program jenga at the beginning of the conference so people can attempt to attend as many of their priority sessions as possible.

Therefore, we will issue a call for proposals and, with a volunteer subcommittee, develop a tentative schedule. That schedule will be subject to reorganization by local and remote attendees. If interest warrants, we will also arrange for “birds of a feather” meetings for people who prefer discussion-based sessions.

Friday, August 2, 2023

Afternoon: Totally optional, only-small-groups-can-even-be-accommodated visits to:

• Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
• Riot Grrrl collection at New York University

Saturday, August 3, 2023

Full day, something like 9:30-5, leaving a good amount of time in the beginning for introducing the event, how it will work, breaking the ice, and adjusting or affirming the schedule.

Saturday evening: possible zine reading, maybe at Bluestockings?

Sunday, August 4, 2023

Half day, something like 9:30-1. Hack sessions

• Zine Librarians Code of Ethics (honestly this could be the only hack, with 6-8 section groups)
• ZineWiki
• ?

Wrap-up

Afternoon visits to:

• MoRUS (Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space)
• ABC No Rio
• Barnard Zine Library
• Interference Archive

Friday, August 2, 2024

Afternoon library/archive tours, potentially

• Riot Grrrl Collection at NYU
• zines from the Schomburg Center

Evening: karaoke

Saturday, August 3, 2024

Conference all day

Evening: zine reading maybe

Sunday, August 4, 2024

Morning/early afternoon: unconference

Later afternoon library/archive tours, potentially

• ABC No Rio
• Barnard College
• Interference Archive
• Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space
• Pratt Institute

The call for proposals closed April 30th. Responses will be shared with those who submitted proposals by June 3rd.

We would love your participation in this year’s 2024 Zine Librarians unConference (New York City) on August 3rd and 4th at NYU. https://www.zinelibraries.info/wiki/zluc-nyc-2024

***The programming working group will endeavor to accept every proposal made***. We may combine proposals if they cover similar topics or to make a miscellaneous panel with proposals that don’t overlap. *

We will consider proposals for remotely facilitated sessions, as well as in-person.  To further define “remotely facilitated sessions,” we are going to offer up to five pre-recorded sessions and will host them online a few days before, during, and after ZLuC.  On the day’s of the unConference, we will set times for the recordings to be viewed together and are hoping that the presenter(s) will be available to zoom in for a Q&A if they are not on site.

People may make as many proposals as they like, but we will limit presenters to two (2) sessions total so that we hear from a wider variety of zine librarians.

Proposals are due on April 30, 2024, and responses will be given by June 3rd. We will ask you to confirm your acceptance by June 15.

*(unless the consensus is that the topic is inappropriate for whatever reason, like any kind of bigotry)

For transparency’s sake, the programming committee, who will be deciding on the proposals consists of: A’misa Chiu, Jenna Freedman, Joshua Barton, Kelly Wooten, Libby Coyner, and Sharaya O. We will ask for additional feedback from people holding a wider range of identities, as needed.

Graphic by Gina Murrell

The Zine Librarians unConference

Will take place at New York University’s Bobst Library on Saturday and Sunday August 3rd and 4th (with library tours on Friday afternoon, August 2nd).

ZLuC 2024 Registration is now open (Google Form)!

There will be virtual opportunities to engage, but not synchronously (pre-recorded sessions and select day-of sessions will be recorded and posted after the event – more details to follow).

This year, we will be collecting a sliding-scale registration fee.  Suggested registration fees are on the form and below.  All payments can be made to Violet Fox via PayPal: paypal.com/paypalme/violetbfox; Venmo: @violetfox; Cashapp: $violetbfox.  Registration won’t be completed until payment is received.

• People from no-budget zine libraries/archives: at least $20
• People whose travel is not funded: at least $20
• People with $1,000 or less in travel funds: at least $100
• People with more than $1,000 in travel funds: at least $200
• People from organizations willing to sponsor a meal, a service, a grant, etc.: $250-$2000
• Other amount

ZLuC Housing:

Residence hall housing will be available at New York University’s Palladium Hall.  Housing dates are Friday 8/2 (check in) through Sunday 8/4 (check out).    

• This hall is located approximately 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from Washington Square Park ~15-20 minutes away
• Next to Union Square Subway Station – access to N/Q/R, 4/5/6, and L trains, as well as buses

Please indicate if you are interested in this option on the registration form and we will contact you separately about registration and payment.  You will be added to the resident hall reservation list and payment will be collected separately from ZLuC registration fees, and paid to NYU.

The cost is $130/night for a single. If you’re housing with your partner, it will be $170/night ($85/per person for a shared room).  NYU allows spouses that are attending the conference together to share rooms by having each participant reserve a shared space instead of a single space. The nightly rate for a shared space is $85 a night per person. This means that the housing cost of the participant and their spouse would be $170 per night.

The dorm style is multi-bedroom apartment suites. Each suite will have seven to nine single bedrooms (unless you’re staying with your partner), multiple bathrooms, a kitchen, and a large common area.  Palladium Hall Floor Plan (PDF on Google Docs),

• Participants will be placed in multi-bedroom apartment suites. Each suite will have 7 to 9 single bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, a kitchen, and a large common area.
• All NYU residence halls are fully furnished and linens are included. Each resident is provided with a twin XL bed and mattress, a desk, a desk chair, a dresser, and a closet or wardrobe. Common areas may include furniture like sofas, chairs, and dining tables
• Attendees will have the support of full-time residential staff who are on hand to help students access the resources they need.
  • Resource Center: 
    • Supervised by residential hall staff, where residents can pick up free materials such as toilet paper, trash bags, and cleaning supplies if needed, as well as make general inquiries.

Housing registration closes on Friday, June 14.

Additional Information about ZLuC Organizing Activities

There are six subcommittees

1. BIPOC Travel Award
2. COVID, Accessibility, and Code of Conduct
3. Programming
4. Social media
5. Tech
6. Tours

Communications

We will use the Zines & GLAM Discord server for organizing communications. You can contact Gina, Jenna, or Lauren for more information or a Discord invite code.

Find us on social media: @zineluc on Instagram and Twitter.

This is a rough schedule for ZLUC 2023. The sessions are firmed up the day of and we are working on getting more details as we confirm. If you are joining us remotely, only Day 1 will have virtual sessions and we will get the links and info out about that soon. Help us decide on topics for ZLuC 2023!

Day 1

• Date & Time: August 4, 2023, 9am-4:30pm
• Location: Gleeson Library at the University of San Francisco
• Getting to USF: USF is easily accessible via public transit. And we’re also providing free parking in the Koret Parking Lot for the day! USF Campus & Parking Map.
• Lunch: Some suggestions on places to go!
• ZLUC Social: 6pm at Silver Sprocket (BYOB/Z)

Day 2

• Date & TIme: August 5, 2023, 10am-3:45pm
• Location: San Francisco Public Library Main Branch
• Getting to SFPL: SFPL is easily accessible via public transit. There are paid parking garages near the SFPL.
• Lunch: Some suggestions on places to go!
• Unconference Keynote with V Vale : 1pm-2pm
  • V Vale will also be tabling at SFPL afterwards so you can buy some zines from him!
• (optional) ZLUC Tour of Prelinger Library @ 4pm but a 20 person limit, so RSVP for this here. The Prelinger Library is located at 301 8th St #215, San Francisco, CA 94103.

Day 3

East Bay Outing — Sign up for Sunday, August 6 East Bay activities!

Note: Details have yet to be confirmed but this is the tentative schedule.

• 11am-12pm: Rock Paper Scissors Collective
  • Address for RPSC is: 2120 MLK Jr. Way, Oakland, CA
• 12pm-1pm: Lunch and Travel
• 2pm: ABO Comix
  • Address for ABO Comix is: 2520 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94612
• 3pm: Oakland Public Library — Tour of OPL’s zine collection!
  • Address for Oakland Public Library: 125 14th St, Oakland, CA 94612

The Zine Librarians unConference (ZLuC) is a safer space, which means that it is intended to be a welcoming, engaging, and supportive environment free of oppressive actions, behaviors, and language. Participants are asked to consider how their language and behavior impacts others in attendance.

Harassing or abusive language or behavior will not be tolerated at ZLuC, including:

• racism, sexism, classism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, and all other forms of discrimination
• sexual harassment, stalking, or intimidation
• inappropriate physical contact
• disruptive or disrespectful behavior
• action or language that makes other participants feel unwelcome or unsafe

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Should an issue arise with a participant before the event, ZLuC organizers will listen to concerns and find a solution that is in the best interests of the community and the event being a safer space. ZLuC organizers reserve the right to limit attendance to the event for any reason.

Should an issue arise with a participant during the fest, ZLuC organizers will be available to mediate on-site and attempt to find a solution. ZLuC organizers reserve the right to ask any participants who are violating the safer space policy to change or address their unsafe behavior or language, or to leave the event. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please notify one of the ZLuC organizers immediately.

We expect participants to follow these rules at all ZLuC event venues, including social events.

We looked into the dorms at USF but unfortunately they were not available to be booked for this event. We’re sorry about that, but we did try!

Lodging in the Bay Area can be a little more on the pricey side compared to other cities in the United States so we want attendees to know that:

• Both ZLuC locations are easy to get to via public transportation
• We do not endorse hotels 🙂 just offering as potential options on this list

Hotels Close to USF/SFPL

The majority of hotels in San Francisco are downtown and closer to SFPL. Hotels near USF are few and far between, since the university is in a residential area close to Golden Gate Park. ZLuC attendees looking to book a hotel might consider these options:

• Stanyan Park Hotel
• Geary Parkway Motel
• Hotel Kabuki
• Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Downtown/Van Ness Ave.
• Phoenix Hotel

You can also look at hotels through websites like Kayak, Booking.com, or Expedia to compare prices of hotels.

Other Lodging Options

Lombard street has a number of motels that may be a little further from the venue but a little more economical. If you select a motel on Lombard between Fillmore and Van Ness you will be a short walk from a single bus ride to either venue.

There are a number of hostels in San Francisco and this travel blog has compiled a list.

Folks might have better luck looking at AirBnb or Vrbo and look in adjacent cities like Oakland, Berkeley, or Daly City. The Bay Area has public transportation that can get you to both ZLuC sites.

Transportation & Parking

• Getting to USF: USF is easily accessible via public transit. And we’re also providing free parking in the Koret Parking Lot for the day! USF Campus & Parking Map.
• Getting to SFPL: SFPL is easily accessible via public transit. There are paid parking garages near the SFPL.

Clipper Card

To ride public transportation, you will want to get the Clipper Card which you can buy at a machine in MUNI/BART stations or you can also download the app onto your phone.

The 2023 Zine Librarian unConference (ZLuC) will be held in San Francisco!

What: ZLuC is an inspirational, informative, and fun gathering of people who care deeply about zines and their ability to change lives for the better.

Where: the University of San Francisco and San Francisco Public Library (plus field trips hopefully to the East Bay!)

When: Friday August 4 and Saturday August 5, 2023. Additional events (such as tours or zine readings) may be held on Sunday August 6.

Who: Everyone is welcome! The primary audience is workers and volunteers from academic, public, and special libraries, as well as community-oriented independent libraries and archives. If you’re interested in zines in libraries and archives, we’re happy to have you join in the fun.

Why: To share the zine love!

How much: Registration for the conference is free.

Registration: Registration is now CLOSED! The last day to register was July 10, 2023. We have hit our 100 in-person limit but you can still register for the online portion or be wait-listed for in-person.

• Help us decide on topics for ZLuC 2023
• Sign up for Sunday, August 6 East Bay activities

Resources

[RM_Form id=’5′]

This page has resources from the Teaching With Zines session.

Before our session, we invite you to take 5 or 10 minutes to reflect on the following questions. (You can also download and print a zineier version here.)

So you wanna teach with zines! That’s great. Here are some questions to help you think through a zine activity, whether it is a standalone thang or part of a longer-term course or series. You might answer all of these questions, or just a few. 

• What do you want people to learn? This could be a specific skill, some information, or even a set of feelings.
• How do you see zines fitting into that? For example, as content (they’re legit learning about zines as zines), as a container for content (they’re learning about cooking by reading zines), or as a container for sharing what they’ve learned (making a zine about science they’ve learned), or something else altogether?
• Who are your learners or your audience? What is important to know about them?
• What’s the timeframe? For example, will this all happen in one hour, or be spread over a series of meetings?
• What do you need to make it happen? Say, a long-arm stapler, or ideas for potential topics, or a stack of kid-friendly zines to browse.
• Write out the steps for what you expect learners to do:
• What are you worried about?
• What are you excited about?
• How will you know if it worked?

Additional resources

There’s a whole page on this very website filled with resources for teaching with zines: http://zinelibraries.info/running-a-zine-library/teaching-with-zines/. You can also download the Teaching With Zines zine (pdf).

This zine features recommendations for teaching with zines for all different ages and audiences.

If you’re working with children, this post about zines for kids may be helpful.

Our panelists recommended the following: