Papercut Zine Library
Papercut is A fully-functioning lending library which serves over 1,000 members, free of charge. Our collection of nearly 13,000 independently published works includes everything from the all-familiar photocopied punk rock zines from the 80's, to hand-crafted personal zines bound together with yarn. Although our main focus is print, we also carry a selection of other independent media, including DVDs, VHS and cassette tapes.
Over
the years, Papercut librarians have been involved in organizing a number of events and concerts, all of which have proven to
be a positive way to reach out to the Cambridge and Greater Boston
Community, while also raising funds to support Papercut and other organizations.
Bitch Magazine
Boing Boing
The Bookish Ball
The Boston Globe
The Boston Phoenix
The Cambridge Chronicle
The Harvard Crimson
Utne
The Weekly Dig
Boing Boing
The Bookish Ball
The Boston Globe
The Boston Phoenix
The Cambridge Chronicle
The Harvard Crimson
Utne
The Weekly Dig
Musical performances taking place at the Democracy Center have been facilitated or booked by Papercut Librarians throughout our history; they have provided a safe and inclusive, alcohol-free space for people of all ages to participate in the local music scene. Our shows have also served as a major fund-raising tool for various non-profits from the Greater Boston area. Some of these organizations include Bikes Not Bombs, Boston Skillshare, CISPES, Pets in Need, and AIDS Action.
In 2007, Papercut linked up with local college radio station, Record Hospital, in booking several shows, as well as a small festival. Independent labels such as Ride the Snake have also collaborated with the library,
Papercut's other events have included various zine readings as well as showings of independent movies. We hope to expand further in providing interactive workshops in zine-making and independent publishing.
We are also known to host an occasional rummage sale to raise funds, and this past spring we held our first Bake-Off, with delicious pies from many of our patrons!
Although the library itsself tends to be our focus, librarians strive to host a wide range of events and activities in order to reach out to the various interests of our patrons.
From our website:
The Boston Zine Fair is a weekend-long event with the aim of bringing
together zinesters, artists, small presses and other producers of
independent media. The conference includes two full days of tabling and numerous hands-on workshops and discussion panels which give us the opportunity to learn new skills
to use in our own creative enterprises, as well as to explore the
importance of independent media in a corporate-owned world. The Boston
Zine Fair is free and open to the public. In previous years the Boston
Zine Fair (also known as Beantown Zinetown) has drawn hundreds
of both local and national publishers, and has been a great way to
build community and just enjoy each other's company.
The Boston Zine Fair, is now organized by Papercut Zine Librarians in collaboration with the Boston Comics Roundtable. Click the image to the left to see a video of 2008's Fair.
Our time at the Democracy Center has been crucial to our growth as an organization, and in reaching out to the Cambridge community. More than four years later, we are excited to see what the future may hold and what the Zine Library may look like in a completely new setting. We hope that this page has provided a decent overview of our work, and what we may offer your building in the future. If you would like to contact us, or learn more, please click the links below. Thank you so much for your time!
papercut@riseup.net
papercutzinelibrary.org
Myspace / Facebook