Archives exist to preserve historical and/or cultural artifacts, books, and special materials that may serve the local community, while existing as historic record. Thus, the preservation of zines as cultural artifacts not only maintains the underground genre of literature, but also acts as record for the community it serves. Archiving and collecting zines helps to ensure the preservation of communities that may be overlooked or underrepresented. Often, special collections and/or academic libraries are home to tools and resources that aid students and researchers alike. By bringing zines into the archive, academic library, or similar research institution, the stories and identities of the zine-makers are legitimized and solidified.
Collecting zines also improves historical record by providing narratives and first-hand accounts, from voiceless or overlooked participants of major cultural events. For example, zine culture provides a more accurate historical record of the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980's. During this time, members of the LGBTQIA+ community used zines to spread health information and provide first-person account of the epidemic's progress. The use of zines during the HIV/AIDS crisis demonstrates zines as community archival material, as it works against the vilification of gay men/Queer community members (homophobia) during the epidemic.
Dazed and Confused Art Magazine. 2022, London. www.dazeddigital.com/art-photography/article/56243/1/my-comrade-the-revolutionary-zine-that-transformed-the-new-york-drag-scene.
For example, the 1980's HIV/AIDS epidemic was captured by zine in a first hand account by Drag Artist Linda Simpson. Simpson's zine was originally created in 1987 and featured photographs, stories, and information from one of the most formidable times in LGBTQIA+ history (Howl Arts 2022). Through the use of zines/zine-making, Simpson was able to legitimize and solidify a portion of history. The archival value of such a document is exemplified by Simpson's extremely raw and personal account of this challenging period. By collecting zines like Simpson's, a largely misrepresented portion of history and its record is preserved and upheld.