The Common

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

Listen Later

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.

          Greater Boston’s weekly podcast where news and culture meet.

          ...more
          View all episodesView all episodes
          Download on the App Store
          The CommonBy WBUR
          • 4.7
          • 4.7
          • 4.7
          • 4.7
          • 4.7

          4.7

          80 ratings

          More shows like The Common

          View all
          Up First from NPR by NPR

          Up First from NPR

          56,532 Listeners

          The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

          The Ezra Klein Show

          16,083 Listeners