From the University of Iowa Libraries:
What would you do with thousands of fragile leaflets, known as fanzines, that chronicle the history of science fiction? Such fanzines hold rich information too valuable to sit untouched, yet the materials cannot be handled without risking destruction.
At the University of Iowa Libraries, a digitization project is underway to save a large, notable zine collection.
The James L. “Rusty” Hevelin Collection contains over 10,000 science fiction (SF), fantasy, and horror fanzines collected by Rusty Hevelin, famous science fiction fan, collector, dealer, and zine editor.
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The Hevelin collection spans decades of science fiction writing and fandom and holds examples of early writing by sci fi greats such as Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury, and George R.R. Martin. With documents dating as early as the 1930s, the collection also reveals exchanges between writers and fans.
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Staff at the University of Iowa Libraries digitize each page of each publication through high-resolution photography. As the fanzines become available online, volunteers can transcribe them through the DIY History participatory archives platform. Once transcribed, the zines are fully searchable online, increasing their value to researchers.
The zines are also accessible in the Iowa Digital Library. As work is completed, more scans will be added to the existing online collections. News about the collection and further information on selected items is available on the Hevelin tumblr.
Read the Complete Announcement
Background
University of Iowa Libraries Begin to Digitize Decades of Fanzines (via LJ; July 23, 2015)
About Gary Price
