Tuscaloosa Public Library Bringing Back Repair Cafe, Fixing Items for Free

The Tuscaloosa Public Library will bring back one of its most popular events this month as handymen and women fix broken household items at the Repair Cafe.

The event returns Saturday, September 20th, from noon to 3 p.m. - that's an Alabama bye week and the day of the Tuscaloosa Oktoberfest.

The fourth Repair Cafe brings back a crew of volunteers to fix items from typewriters to antique lamps and aging books in need of some tender loving care.

Get our free mobile app

"Volunteers provide their time and repair skills to diagnose and fix broken household items, sharing their knowledge with patrons so they too can become repairers," TPL said in their announcement. "Rather than sending trash to landfills and giving more money to corporations, community members can learn to refurbish items and become part of the circular economy."

Across the first three events, TPL said they have served 360 people seeking free fixes and repaired or partially repaired more than 100 of the 140 items brought in.

The volunteers conducting repairs come from area high schools, colleges, and the University of Alabama, as well as churches, service clubs, and those who read about the event in reports like this one.

TPL says the event is popular and well-received, with patrons consistently requesting that it return regularly.

Mark your calendars and think about anything around the house, apartment, or dorm that may need to be fixed - the Tuscaloosa Public Library's free Repair Cafe returns September 20th from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

For more coverage of events in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.