Ultimately, the collective celebrates self-expression and freedom of speech, while it brings together people in the Midwest and beyond who appreciate the medium of zines and want to share work and ideas.

The Collective is a new concept, and your input into how it develops is vital. The Collective will be holding a series of listening sessions/discussions in 2008 and 2009 at zine fests and other events to ensure that the Collective is collaborative and will serve the needs of the zine community in the Midwest. Please contact Michelle at madzinefest@yahoo.com with your ideas about how the Collective can serve you.

The Collective's goals, so far, are to:

• Support and sponsor zine fests in the Midwest. Zine fests involve zine creators, readers, researchers, and other experts who educate, inform, and draw others into the zine scene. The fest helps people to directly share skills and information related to zines and zine culture.
  

• Donate zines to libraries and infoshops located in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinios, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana.
  

• Host and travel to other zine-related events.
  

• Mentor students and other individuals who want to make their own zines and learn about the zine world.

• Serve as a resource for the needs of the zine community and a source of information about zines in the Midwest to the general public.