Archive for September, 2008

Postal Rate Hike: Good for business, bad for zinesters

Sunday, September 21st, 2008

>From Zine World:

Postal Prices are going up. This is worrying – a lot of ideas fundamental to the internet were seeded on the PaperNet.

This small change in rates raises the price of free expression:

======================================================
Jerianne:
At the post office today, I got an ugly surprise: The Postal Service
has discontinued Bound Printed Matter as an option for folks like us. I
mean, they really discontinued it this time (not just telling us
it wasn’t available like they have in the past). Here’s info from the USPS
website (emphasis mine):

DMM Revision: Postage Payment for Bound Printed
Matter Limited to Permit Imprint

In March, we filed a notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission
for a classification change requiring all mail­ings of Bound Printed
Matter be paid by permit only. The Commission agreed, and we are moving
forward with the change.

Effective September 11, 2008, the Postal Service™ is
revising the Mailing Standards of the United States
Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 363, 364, 365, 366, 463, 464, 465, 466, and
604 for all Bound Printed Mat­ter (BPM). Postage payment for all
BPM mailings: carrier route, presorted, and nonpresorted
(single-piece) flats and parcels, regardless of volume, are
limited to permit imprint. Mailers can no longer affix
postage by adhesive stamps, postage meter, or PC Postage®. BPM will not be accepted at retail counters,
in collection boxes, or by car­riers and must be deposited and
accepted at the Post Office™ facility that issued the
permit.

In other words,  you can no longer, as an individual, use Bound
Printed Matter for individual mailings sent with stamps or printed
postage. I have more information about how to use Bound Printed Matter,
with permit, posted at the Zine World
website.

Much like the changes made last year for discount mailings for
periodicals (see Zine World
#25 for details), these changes raise barriers for small publishers,
and therefore inhibit dissemination of information by mail. If this
ticks you off as much as it does me, I hope you will contact the Postal
Service and complain:

1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) — select More Options

Policy and Program Development, USPS Headquarters

or

Postmaster General Jack Potter

475 L’Enfant Plaza SW

Washington DC 20260-0010

We will be updating our U.S. Postal
Rates sheet and the Zinester’s Guide to
U.S. Mail within the next few days.

Jerianne


Zine World: A Reader’s Guide to the
Underground Press
PO Box 330156 * Murfreesboro TN 37133
www.undergroundpres

s.org
————
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Zine
World #26 now available! $4 US, $5 Canada
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ZAPP Zine Archive

Friday, September 12th, 2008
Dear Friends of ZAPP,
 
Iʼm writing this letter to let you know about the upcoming reopening of ZAPP on September 13th in a brand new space in the top floor of Richard Hugo House.  ZAPPʼs doors have been closed far too long for the lively zine and artist community that Seattle has, and Iʼm proud to say that we can once again be able to offer this amazing resource to the community.
 
As you may know, ZAPPʼs collection is estimated to be the largest archive of independent publications in the world; only through the donations and support from the community of zinesters and readers can we grow and continue to occupy this unique and valuable niche.
 
Since the beginning of the year, new volunteers and interns have been working hard to get the archive adapted to the new space so we can open in September.  Some of the biggest feats so far have been re-shelving the original collection, designing a new work space, and creating a ZAPP committee.
 
As always, the growth of such a zine library hinges mostly upon the continuing donations from self publishers, but just as importantly, support from passionate volunteers.  Whether you have donated your zine to the archive or have offered your time to help keep ZAPPʼs doors open, we value the support that youʼve shown in the past, and we hope that you take the time to join us in September to make a memorable event.
 
The official date of the reopening is Saturday, September 13th.  It kicks off with an open house in the afternoon from 3 to 7.  There will also be a Zine Reading Open Mic at 6, and I encourage you to bring your favorite zine or your own work to share with everyone.  There also be Zine Library tours, media shows, and refreshments.
 
Thanks for all your support,
 

ZAPP
zapp@hugohouse.org
http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=33391923293

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