SCANNNERS ARCHIVE is a zine archive.
What is SCANNNERS?
SCANNNERS Archive is a community-led space in San Diego, California that began as a zine collection by Burn All Books and friends in 2023. The archive has since grown to collect, preserve, and promote printed material with a focus on DIY culture, self-publishing, and artistic collaboration. Through volunteer-run programming, community members work together to actively build a shared history outside of the institution.
What is the mission of SCANNNERS?
The mission of SCANNNERS Archive is to actively build a shared history in DIY culture, self-publishing, and artistic collaboration.
What is the collection like?
While SCANNNERS Archive plans on growing a digital archive online our current collection is made of over 1,000 physical zines and continues to expand. The archive is built 100% by zine and ephemera donations/contributions from the community, both locally and beyond. Please reach out if you have a collection to contribute.
Who runs the collection?
SCANNNERS is dedicated to maintaining an accessible collection of zines and ephemera made beyond the boundaries of limiting institutions. For the sake of research, inspiration, enjoyment, and learning, SCANNNERS exists and operates solely by the work of volunteers in our Collection Group. If you would like to join this working group please reach out for details & dates of our next meeting.
F
Q: How can I take part in the work of SCANNNERS archive?
We are building a network of volunteers to support the work of SCANNNERS and grow the archive. Please sign up for our newsletter if you are interested in volunteering and follow us on Instagram @scannnersarchive to keep up with programming, volunteer opportunities, and more! We currently host one Archive Party each month and checking our events list is a good way to find the next date we’ll be gathering.
Q: How can I add my zines/ephemera to the archive?
We want your work! Thank you for your interest in contributing to SCANNNERS. You can personally bring in your donation whenever the BAB & Friends Gift Shop is open, or you can mail things to us at:
BAB & Friends Gift Shop
c/o SCANNNERS Archive
3131 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
USA
Q: Can I come browse the archive?
Open browsing hours coincide with the BAB & Friends Gift Shop hours.
Q: How does browsing the archive work?
During open hours, we invite the community to come and make use of the archive. Like a library, the ephemera is available to peruse and read. Unlike a library, we ask that no zines or ephemera leave the premises. We have a scanner & printer available to all visitors.
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
BAB’s Postcard Show Archive(s)
Our first postcard show opened on April 4, 2025. We received over 200 postcards from San Diego and throughout the US! As promised, the postcards received are archived at SCANNNERS, and archive visitors are welcome to look through the postcards.
Books Thru Bars SD Covid Letters
Special Collection
In early 2024, SCANNNERS received a grant from California Revealed to archive unanswered letters sent to Books Thru Bars SD during the first few years of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. On Sunday, June 9, 2024, eighteen volunteers worked together to catalog and scan 250 of the approximately 1,000 letters in the collection. Archive visitors are welcome to request access to the collection.