The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:
On Saturday, October 19, the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) will be a hive of activity during the Fourth Watertown Zine Fest, a day-long celebration of zine-making and do-it-yourself creativity. All are welcome, even if you don’t know what a zine is!
For the uninitiated, here’s a quick primer: Zines are small, self-published works featuring original or repurposed content, often replicated by photocopier and/or shared online. Their subjects are as varied and diverse as their creators, covering everything from art and music to politics and personal stories.
Because they cover so much ground, zines are hard to define! And, they have been around for much longer than you might think.
One of the most popular early zines was Fire!! a literary zine launched during the Harlem Renaissance by authors you may recognize, like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston. Through the twentieth century, zines evolved through underground activism and punk rock scenes, with the riot grrrl movement adding a feminist edge.
“While everything is a Google search away, you can’t search for what you don’t know” says WFPL Zine Team member Claudia Basaldua. “Zines offer a window into niche interests and hidden subcultures you might not find otherwise.”
WFPL launched a circulating zine collection and annual zine fest in 2021 as a way to introduce their community to the powerful, accessible, mind-expanding world of zines. What began as an experimental collection has grown to include over 700 titles. And four years on, Watertown Zine Fest is one of the busiest days on the Library calendar.
“In four years, Watertown Zine Fest has become bigger than we could have ever imagined, says WFPL Programing Librarian Allie Fry. “But I think it’s because zines and public libraries share an ethos. Zines encourage you to be creative, express yourself, and find and connect with your community; that’s what WFPL stands for, too.”
At the 2024 fest, 30+ zinesters from across the region will display, sell, and barter wares in a Zine Marketplace. Repurposing the Library Teen Room as a Zine Hive for all ages, Library staff will provide tools, supplies, and prompts to help attendees create their own zines.
Do you have a story to tell? Do you want to meet and learn from writers, artists, and creators working outside the mainstream publishing industry? Stop by Watertown Zine Fest to get inspired. The fest runs from 11 AM – 4 PM on Saturday, October 19 and is free to all. Learn more on the Library’s website: watertownlib.org/zines
About WFPL
The Watertown Free Public Library provides access to a wide variety of popular materials, resources, services, and programs that fulfill the informational, cultural, and recreational needs of Watertown and surrounding communities. Our Library works to create an environment that attracts and welcomes users of all ages and abilities. watertownlib.org