Local libraries encourage readers to hop on a retro trend: zines

Little self-published booklets known as 'zines' have long been a staple of DIY and counter-culture movements. They have deep roots in underground music scenes like punk. Today, zines are having a renaissance, with more DIY-ers returning to the medium to spread information and stories - as well as to avoid increased censorship.

The Common recently visited the Boston Public Library's Jamaica Plain branch to check out the BPL's zine collection with children's librarian and local punk drummer, Chris Strunk.

Where to find zines in Boston

For the month of April, public libraries across the Boston Area are encouraging patrons to dive into zines with their 2025 Zine Library Crawl. Explore these Boston-area zine libraries to participate, or explore on your own any time.

• • Boston Public Library Zine Collection
    • Participating branches include: Central, Codman Square, Connolly, Egleston Square, Grove Hall, Jamaica Plain, Parker Hill, Roslindale, Roxbury,
  • Framingham Public Library
  • Harvard University’s Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America

 

• MassArt Morton R. Godine Library
• School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University’s W. Van Alan Clark Jr. Library
• Somerville Public Library (all locations)
• Watertown Free Public Library

If you're looking for digital zines, you can also visit the online archive of Cambridge's Papercut Library, a free and volunteer-led collection featuring zines and other media from over 16,000 independent creators.

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