Zine and Small Press Collection

Welcome to the Framingham Public Library Zine & Small Press Collection.

• Click here to sign up for updates.
• Click here if you'd like to submit a zine to our collection.

Zine (zēn): Short for fanzine or magazine, a zine is a DIY, self-published magazine, usually made on paper and reproduced with a photocopier or printer. Zines come in all different shapes, sizes, and formats. Many are handwritten, hand-collaged, photocopied, and stapled. Zines are a personal form of self-expression and can be about anything. There is a great range of zine subjects. Zine creators are often motivated by a desire to share knowledge or experience with people in marginalized or otherwise less empowered communities. Building community through sharing in this way is integral to the zine experience.

Our small press collection will feature books, chapbooks, and more. The collection will be available to browse at the Main Library, but patrons can request zines from our catalog to be sent anywhere in the MinuteMan network. 

Upcoming Zine Events:

This April, you’re invited to check out as many zine libraries in the Greater Boston area as possible! Complete your Zine Library Crawl passport for a chance to win prizes, including free goodies from participating libraries, zine-making supplies, and physical zines from local zine makers! Zine Library Crawl passports will be available at participating libraries.

Participating public and academic libraries include Framingham Public Library (Main Library), Boston Public Library*, Harvard University’s Schlessinger Library, 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), and Watertown Free Public Library.

*BPL participating branches include Codman Square Branch, Egleston Square Branch,  Jamaica Plain Branch, Parker Hill Branch, Roslindale Branch, and Roxbury Branch.