Who We Are:

We are a small, mostly part-time team all based in Glasgow. You can learn more about the team here.

What We Do:

GZL is a self-publishing library and community arts space in Govanhill, Glasgow, established in 2018. We are the largest independent zine library in the UK with an international collection of over 3,500 zines (self-published magazines). These zines inspire our activities:

  • We run Glasgow Zine Fest, an annual celebration of zine culture.

  • Arts and Heritage Programmes of talks, workshops and screenings.

  • A Community-Led Programme hosting local creative groups and events.

  • Professional development opportunities: residencies, commissions, interns, volunteers.

  • Library & Archive Resources: a free making room, arts materials, printer, desktop and more.

Our events are free or pay-what-you-can with access provisions. We welcome around 6,000 people each year, across over 150 events, delivered in partnership with hundreds of artists.

To learn more about zines in general, please see our FAQs.

Our Aims:

  • Celebrating and preserving zine culture.

  • Uplifting the experiences, practices and imaginations of marginalised creatives.

  • Resourcing zine making and DIY creativity

  • Building community care, connection and joy

  • Democratising access to community arts and heritage

Our Values:

  • We want to promote equality and diversity by providing facilities and services with the aim of benefitting our community, and providing agency to groups who are underrepresented in arts, heritage and culture.

  • We want to work together with the wider arts, heritage and community sectors to democratise participation and leadership in the arts in Glasgow.

  • We want to support the progression of those involved in our programme at every level.

  • We want to remove barriers of accessibility for people wishing to access the library, festival and its associated events programme.