The Learning Zone

Every July — ever since American zine maker Alex Wrekk declared it in 2009 — zine creators, fans and collectors celebrate International Zine Month. There are various daily activity suggestions rolling around the internet, but this year the OCAD Zine Library decided to write our own list. We hope you take some inspiration from the list, look at some zines, maybe make a zine or two, collaborate with friends, and learn something about zine history and zine making!

1. Read up on zines and zine history at ZineWiki.com
2. Re-read your favourite zines/pick up a zine for the first time
3. Make a no-staple mini-zine
4. Read a zine made outside of North America
5. Order a zine from a zine distro
6. Search our Zine Library online!
7. Make envelopes or postcards
8. Make some mail art!
9. Create and mail a ziney care package to a friend
10. Visit the QZAP.org to read archived queer zines
11. Try something new! If you usually write fiction, try writing a perzine (short for personal zine, which is a journal style zine)
12. Join the OCADU Zine Collective!
13. Zine Trade Day! Ask someone to trade zines
14. ValenZINE’s Day! Write to your zine crush
15. Leave a zine in public for someone else to find
16. Visit the Toronto Zine Library (open today from 1-3pm)!
17. Write and share a zine review
18. Take out a book about zines from the library
19. Zine Shop appreciation day! Visit a store near you that sells zines, like The Beguiling or Page & Panel
20. Submit your zine to a zine library (like us!)
21. International Zine Library Day! Give us some love
22. Send your zine out to be reviewed (Broken Pencil, Xerography Debt and Razorcake accept zines for review)
23. Make a one page zine
24. Teach yourself a new zine skill
25. Organize a zine event!
26. Teach a friend or family member about zines
27. Submit to a compilation zine
28. Cook with a recipe from a zine
29. Post photos of you with your zine or zine collection
30. Visit poczineproject.tumblr.com to read up on zines by people of colour
31. Read more Zines!