Archival Availability for Researchers
Libraries and archives sometimes keep collections of Razzle issues for academic study of sexuality, media, and culture, such as in the case of the Kinsey Institute's collection at Indiana University which holds over 1000 issues from 1962 to 2008, including an extensive run of its sister publication For Men Only. These resources aid sociological and media studies. They may also be useful for psychologists, historians, and others who study popular culture.
The National Archives and Records Administration, located in Washington DC, is one example of an archive that has digitized some Razzle issues for public access. Their online database allows visitors to search and view issues from 1954 to 1971, although they have been available through interlibrary loan in various formats since then. The Library of Congress has a smaller but still significant collection of Razzles, though it is more difficult to access than NARA due to their restrictive policies on requesting materials.
While these institutions do make some Razzles accessible for research purposes, many others are harder to come by. Private collectors or individuals may own rare copies or individual issues, making them difficult to obtain without paying high prices. In addition, some libraries or archives may not want to hold onto them due to controversial content or fear of legal liability, limiting the number of places where they can be found.
Despite these challenges, scholars continue to seek out and use Razzles for research purposes. Academic journals like Sexualities have published articles using Razzles data in recent years, showing how valuable this type of material can be for understanding sexuality and society.
There is still much work to be done in making these collections more widely available and accessible.
While Razzles have faced criticism over time for their depictions of women and gender roles, their historical significance as documents of social change cannot be denied. Libraries and archives should strive to preserve and share these resources with scholars interested in exploring these topics further.