This collection contains material documenting punk music and culture in the San Francisco Bay Area through zines, fliers, photographs, and other ephemera with the bulk of material dating from the late 1970s to mid-1980s. This is a growing collection comprised of small donations to the San Francisco Punk Archive.

San Francisco's punk scene emerged in 1977, influenced by the punk movements in New York and the UK, and bands like the Ramones and the Flamin' Groovies. It also reflected the social and political unrest and the experimental art scenes of the city. Magazines and zines such as Search & Destroy, Punk Globe, Cometbus, and Absolutely Zippo, and photographers like Ruby Ray and James Stark documented the scene. The punk scene in the Bay Area was diverse and vibrant. Bands such as the Sleepers, Crime, Avengers, Romeo Void, Dead Kennedys, Minimal Man, Tuxedo Moon, and Flipper played at venues like Mabuhay Gardens, Deaf Club, Sound of Music, On Broadway, and The Farm.

3 cartons, 1 oversized flat box, one map folder, 12 letter-sized folders (Photo room) (5 Cubic Feet)

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours.