Preservation Plan

Zine Archives and Publishing Project (ZAPP)

Richard Hugo House

1634 11th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122

April 3, 2009

Prepared by
Heather Davis
Consulting Archivist

Table of Contents
A. INTRODUCTION 3

B. DESCRIPTION OF COLLECTION 4

C. PRESERVATION NEEDS AND REQUIRED ACTIONS 5

 Preservation Plan
Zine Archives and Publishing Project (ZAPP)

D. REQUIRED MATERIALS AND TIMELINE 8

E. BIBLIOGRAPHY 10

F. APPENDIX 11

A. Introduction
My name is Heather Davis and I am the Archives Consultant to the Zine
Archive Publishing Project (ZAPP) at Richard Hugo House. I became
involved with ZAPP in May 2008 when I was contacted to assess the
collection and make recommendations for comprehensive preservation
of the archive.

There are currently over 20,000 zines and 2,000 mini comics organized
into approximately 30 categories in the ZAPP collection facility at
Richard Hugo House in Seattle, Washington. The collection is home to a
multitude of personal and grassroots histories that give voice and
expression to issues of race, ethnicity, women, and marginalized
2

H e a t h e r D a v i s
2337 12th Avenue East | Seattle, WA 98102-4015
(206) 755-4837
hcddavis@mac.com
 Preservation Plan
Zine Archives and Publishing Project (ZAPP)

communities. Among the over 20,000 publications the ZAPP collection

are runs of rare published works, many of which are specific to the
Pacific Northwest.

It is imperative this vital resource be stabilized and safeguarded for the

community, as well as those outside the area who wish to consult the
collection and learn more about the Do It Yourself (DIY) movement. I
have my own small collection of zines I have accumulated over the
years and have always been drawn to the DIY aspect of zine culture,
which produces insightful personal histories, narratives, and vision.

I have over three years of experience working in various archival

repositories including those in academic institutions, a design firm, art
museum, and historical society. Within these units I have worked with
various types of materials, among them ephemera, photographs,
artwork, film, video, sound recordings, papers, and artifacts. In my
experience I have spent a great deal of time working with collections of
marginalized or underrepresented communities, which has fostered a
devotion to those histories housed in grass roots and community
archives. These organizations and the personal and organizational
histories they document are a fascinating and critical resource for the
future.

This preservation plan serves as a guideline for preservation priorities,

required actions, materials suggestions, and a timeline for preservation
actions.

B. Description of Collection
Zine Archives and Publishing Project (ZAPP), a program of Richard
Hugo House (RHH), was founded in 1996 in the Capitol Hill
neighborhood of Seattle and is “devoted to collecting, preserving and
promoting self-published and independent zines, comics and other
hard-to-classify small press periodicals of all types…seek[ing] to
maintain, validate and make accessible publications outside the
literary mainstream”().

ZAPP was originally housed in the basement of RHH and remained in

this location until a serious flood in December 2007 forced ZAPP to look
3

H e a t h e r D a v i s
2337 12th Avenue East | Seattle, WA 98102-4015
(206) 755-4837
hcddavis@mac.com
 Preservation Plan
Zine Archives and Publishing Project (ZAPP)

for alternate location in the House. Nora Mukaihata, ZAPP and Library
Manager, made the decision to move ZAPP to the easternmost side of
the second floor of RHH, which provided a drier storage space and less
direct sunlight in the space. At this time the entire collection is housed
in this room on the second floor.

Due to the basement flooding in December 2007 there are some

materials in the collection that have been impacted directly and
indirectly by water damage. Nora Mukaihata has worked with staff,
volunteers, and interns to separate water-damaged materials from the
collection for more intensive preservation work and to protect the rest
of the collection.

The ZAPP collection is composed of zines, comics, chapbooks, and

smaller press periodicals. There are exceptions, but zines are primarily
photocopied works on copy paper. Zines in the ZAPP collection may
include, but are not limited to, various printing techniques,1 bindings,2 
supports,3 and mediums.4 The zine collection also has a large section of
mini-comics that come in a variety of sizes, as well as posters and
flatwork related to the ZAPP collection.

C. Preservation Needs and Required Actions

Preservation Priorities
For future preservation efforts it is imperative to keep a log of daily
preservation contributed to by all those affiliated and working with the
ZAPP collection. Identifying and keeping track of preservation work
creates a trail of work that has been done and points to additional work
that needs to be completed to safeguard these materials for the future.

There are two logs appended to this plan that should be kept in
conjunction with preservation work.5 Record daily work on “Log of
Collection Preservation Work” (see Appendix B). Preservation issues
(e.g., mold spores, water damage, newsprint) should be brought to the
1
E.g., letterpress, hand printing, wood block printing, lithography.
2
E.g., perfect, coil, Coptic, tape, stitched.
3
E.g., copy paper, newsprint.
4
E.g., audiocassette, poster, compact disc.
5
The forms may be amended in collaboration with Archives Consultant.
4

H e a t h e r D a v i s
2337 12th Avenue East | Seattle, WA 98102-4015
(206) 755-4837
hcddavis@mac.com
 Preservation Plan
Zine Archives and Publishing Project (ZAPP)

attention of the Library/Archives Manager and recorded on the

“Preservation Attention Form” (see Appendix A).

1. Reduction or elimination of exposure to ultraviolet light

Exposure to ultraviolet light emitted from fluorescent bulbs and
sunlight for prolonged periods of time can greatly impact works on
paper. While many of the items in the collection are usually shelved, an
additional effort to reduce or eliminate exposure to harmful UV light
could take the form of turning lights off in stack areas when people are
not present.

Two windows are located at the rear of the ZAPP space. These two
windows can, at certain times throughout the day, bring in UV light in
addition to that of the overhead lighting. It is recommended that both
windows be masked off with ultraviolet filtering film to prevent the
collection from prolonged exposure to sunlight.

2. Selecting and re-housing preservation copies

The ZAPP collection has as many as three or more copies of zines in
the collection. It is recommended that two copies of a zine be retained
for the collection and, as the preservation plan proceeds, there result
(a) a preservation copy and (b) a browsing copy. Preservation copies of
zines will be the archived originals and should be stored appropriately,
only handled under special circumstances. Third copies could be traded
with other zine libraries/archives or serve as a display copy for exhibits
or tabling at events.

Zines in pristine condition should be removed from the browsing

collection and placed into an archival storage box. This duplicate copy
will serve as the preservation copy of the zine and should only be
handled under special circumstances.

Preservation copies should be placed into archival Safecote acrylic-

coated document storage cases. Ideally each of these items should be
placed into acid-free, lignin-free four-flap enclosures to stabilize the
deterioration process and protect other adjacent zines. As an
alternative, each zine could be wrapped in archival grade (acid-free,
lignin-free) bond paper. Preservation copy zines should be placed in the
storage cases spine side down to preserve the bindings, and any space
in the boxes should be filled to prevent the zines from sagging and
becoming misshapen.

As zines are cataloged either of two follow-up steps can be taken: (a)

H e a t h e r D a v i s
2337 12th Avenue East | Seattle, WA 98102-4015
(206) 755-4837
hcddavis@mac.com
 Preservation Plan
Zine Archives and Publishing Project (ZAPP)

write catalog information on an ID strip and use the tab to attach the
strip to the zine or (b) record the identifying number and information
on the zines in pencil. Since identifying marks are in pencil this is a
measure that can be reversed.
3. Re-housing the browsing copies
In order to prevent further damage to the browsing collection from
possible environmental conditions each zine should be placed in a
chemically inert polyethylene, polystyrene, or polyester (Mylar) bag.6

Zines on newsprint should be identified and alternate plans should be

made for their storage. These newsprint items are to be encapsulated
in polyester (Mylar) bags to protect them, but air should be able to
circulate around the item. The best possible solution for the long-term
preservation of these items is to have preservation films made since
newsprint is a rapidly deteriorating support; however, placing these
items into polyester (Mylar) enclosures should be a suitable phase
preservation measure to protect the item, as well as other adjacent
materials in the collection.

Zines should be examined for possible mold and/or water damage,

should be identified on the Preservation Attention Form (see Appendix
A), and flagged for review by the Archives Manager. Avoid touching or
breathing in any mold spores. Place the item into one of the sealed
bags and report it to the Archives Manager. If mold appears to be
present among numerous items in a particular shelf proper safety
precautions should be followed, such as wearing a respirator with HEPA
filter, disposable plastic gloves, and protective eyewear ().

When zines are cataloged either of two follow-up steps can be taken:
(a) write catalog information on ID strip and use the tab to attach the
strip to the zine or (b) record the identifying number and information
on the zines in pencil. Since the marks are in pencil this is a measure
that can be reversed.
4. Re-housing the browsing collection
When other aspects of preservation of the zine collection have been
completed the next step will be to move the zines out of cardboard
boxes and into archival magazine file boxes.

The browsing collection should be housed in a chemically inert

magazine file box, such as polyethylene or polystyrene.
5. Monitor temperature and humidity
6
Polyester (Mylar) enclosures should be avoided for zines where flaking of the printing
ink is present or in situations where it is possible the static nature of the Mylar will
react with the surface inks in the zine.
6

H e a t h e r D a v i s
2337 12th Avenue East | Seattle, WA 98102-4015
(206) 755-4837
hcddavis@mac.com
 Preservation Plan
Zine Archives and Publishing Project (ZAPP)

Monitoring of temperature and humidity is of critical importance. The

ZAPP space should strive for a temperature no greater than 70°F and a
relative humidity between 30% and 50% with a fluctuation of ± 2%.
Purchase a hygrothermograph reader.
6. Replace or seal shelving
There are two types of shelving units in the ZAPP space: an entirely
wood structure bolted together or large steel shelving units with
compressed wood panels. Wood shelves in a Library or Archives may
seem like a simple storage solution for a collection; however, “[w]ood
gives off acid gases that are damaging to paper, leather, textiles, and
other library and archival materials. Although more gases are emitted
when the wood is new, some woods continue to off-gas indefinitely”().

It is recommended that these shelves be replaced entirely or, barring

this solution, be sealed and coated to provide temporary protection
from off-gassing. Coating the wood shelves by using a moisture-borne
polyurethane should provide some protection for the collection.7 Latex
and acrylic paints can be used to seal the wood if polyurethane is not
preferred. Once the wood storage furniture is sealed these units should
set for a period of 3-4 weeks before being reintroduced back into the
ZAPP space. Sealing the wood shelves is only a temporary solution, so
in addition the shelves should also be lined with Marvelseal 470, which
will act as a barrier material.

D. Required Materials and Timeline

Catalog Vendor8 Catalog Quantity/Pri Total

Description ID ce
1. Reduction or elimination of exposure to ultraviolet light
Ultraviolet Filtering Gaylord WW- 1 @ 131.99 $131.99
Film 3 Mil Polyester UV4225
42” x 25’
2. Selecting and re-housing preservation copies

7
It is recommended a preservation professional be consulted before selecting the
moisture-borne polyurethane to ensure it meets current standards.
8
These vendors are suggested; ZAPP may use alternate vendors, provided
preservation guidelines for the project are followed as detailed in plan.
7

H e a t h e r D a v i s
2337 12th Avenue East | Seattle, WA 98102-4015
(206) 755-4837
hcddavis@mac.com
 Preservation Plan
Zine Archives and Publishing Project (ZAPP)

Document Storage Metal S15510 10 @ 6.85 $68.50

Cases: Safecote Edge
Acrylic Blue-Grey
Exterior (15 1/4W
x 10 1/4H x 5D)
Dividers for Metal DD11 2 @ 12.45 $24.90
document cases Edge
and storage
cartons (letter
size)
Bond Paper Gaylord WW- 1 @ 59.95 $59.95
Premalife 20 lb 32 PB3240
x 40” Long Grain
Pkg 50 White
Rare Book ID Strip Gaylord WW-RB25 1 @ 11.55 $11.55
With Tab 1 1/2” x
5”
3. Re-housing the browsing copies
Zip Lock Bags 2 Gaylord WW-Z810 2 @ 33.19 $66.38
mil 8W x 10”H Pkg
100
Zip Lock Bags 2 Gaylord WW- 2 @ 56.79 $113.58
mil 10W x 13”H Z1013
Pkg 100
4. Re-housing the browsing collection
Plastic Storage File Gaylord WW-5202- 100 @ 5.25 $525.00
Closed 10 1/2H x 01
4W x 7 1/2"D Black
Label Holders Self- Gaylord WW-61- 9 @ 2.69 $24.21
Adhesive w/Inserts 388
2 1/8 x 3” 12/Pkg
5. Monitor temperature and humidity
Digital Hygrometer Gaylord WW-1546 1 @ 29.59 $29.59
1 1/2H x 2 1/2W x
1/2"D
6. Replace or seal shelving
Marvelseal 470 Gaylord WW- 1 @ 95.95 $95.95
48” x 50 Ft 3” M4750
Core
Frame Sealing Gaylord WW- 1 @ 25.29 $25.29
Tape Pressure FST1000
Sensitive 1 1/4" x
1000” White

Date Phase Description

H e a t h e r D a v i s
2337 12th Avenue East | Seattle, WA 98102-4015
(206) 755-4837
hcddavis@mac.com
 Preservation Plan
Zine Archives and Publishing Project (ZAPP)

April 2009 • Training of Librarian and Initial training session

ZAPP interns/volunteers for interns and
volunteers to provide
an overview and
introduction to zine
preservation.
April-May • Reduction or elimination Seal windows with UV
2009 of exposure to ultraviolet film or modify lighting.
light
April-June • Selecting and re-housing Weed collection for
2009 preservation copies preservation copies
• Re-housing the browsing and re-house browsing
copies copies in bags.
June 2009 • Interim report due Archives consultant
compiles interim
report.
July 2009 • Training of Librarian and Possible second
ZAPP interns/volunteers training session for
interns and volunteers
to provide an overview
and introduction to
zine preservation.
June-Dec 2009 • Selecting and re-housing Weed collection for
preservation copies preservation copies
• Re-housing the browsing and re-house browsing
copies copies in bags.
Nov-Dec 2009 • Selecting and re-housing Weed collection for
preservation copies preservation copies
• Re-housing the browsing and re-house browsing
copies copies in bags. Seal
• Replace or seal shelving shelving or line with
Marvelseal 470.

E. Bibliography

Balloffet, Nelly, Jenny Hille, and Reed A. Judith. Preservation and conservation for  
libraries and archives. 4. Edited by Judith A. Reed. Chicago, Illinois: American Library 
Association, 2005.

H e a t h e r D a v i s
2337 12th Avenue East | Seattle, WA 98102-4015
(206) 755-4837
hcddavis@mac.com
 Preservation Plan
Zine Archives and Publishing Project (ZAPP)

F. Appendix

10

H e a t h e r D a v i s
2337 12th Avenue East | Seattle, WA 98102-4015
(206) 755-4837
hcddavis@mac.com