If you’re like me, there’s a sad little collection of stuff in your basement. It’s not working, but you’re not ready to call it “dead” and “broken” and throw it out. And for good reason: while your stuff might not be working, it is almost certainly fixable, even if you’re not sure how to fix it.
That’s where FixIt Clinics come in. Founded by MIT alum Peter Mui in 2009, the clinics are community events designed to help people learn to fix their broken stuff and -in the process- foster a culture of repair that reduces the environmental impact of our runaway consumer culture.
Today, more than a decade and a half later, FixIt clinics are exploding in popularity and popping up across the country. To date, more than 1,200 have been held in communities across the country, including here in Belmont, where a FixIt Clinic was hosted at Belmont Public Library in 2019.
FixIt Clinic Comes (Back) To Belmont
And now, a week from this Saturday, on November 16th, the Belmont Public Library will host FixIt Clinic #1275 – the first in town since before the COVID pandemic. And Peter Mui will be a special guest in attendance at our event! (Peter and I serve together on the board of the Repair Coalition.)
When, Where, etc.
With our new library still under construction, the FixIt Clinic will be held at the Beech Street Center. For more information, please visit: belmontpubliclibrary.net/events/
WHEN: Saturday, November 16 11AM-2PM
WHERE: Belmont Public Library at the Beech Street Center 266 Beech Street, Classroom A
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-2000
WHO: FixIt Clinics are an all-ages family-friendly event.
HOW: You can register by visiting bit.ly/fixitcheckin or using the button below:
How FixIt Clinics work:
Per FixIt Clinic’s website: FixIt Clinics are about neighbors helping neighbors: Fixit Clinic is an in-person and online community of repair self-help workshops that empower neighbors to assist each other repairing their broken durable goods. FixIt Clinics are staffed by volunteer Fixit Coaches who share their time, tools and expertise.
People bring a wide variety of non-functioning things to these clinics: electronic gadgets, appliances, computers, toys, sewing machines, lamps, fabric and textile items, etc. They are assessed, troubleshooted and – if possible – repaired.
The coaches will provide a workspace, specialty tools, and guidance to help you disassemble and troubleshoot your item. Whether you fix it or not, you’ll learn more about how it was manufactured and how it worked, ready to share your new-found skills and insight with friends, neighbors, and the community at large. (Hopefully you’ll be inspired to become a Fixit Coach yourself.)
To participate:
- Bring your broken item with all parts necessary to recreate the symptoms (carry-in only: no oversize items)
- Bring any parts and tools you already own that might be helpful (e.g. hand tools, sewing supplies)
- Come ready to describe what’s wrong and what you’ve tried
- Come ready to learn and to share your knowledge with others
Wanted: FixIt Coaches
We’re always on the lookout for new FixIt coaches to help out at Belmont’s clinic. First-time Fixit Coaches and fixing families are always welcome. You can sign up using this link: bit.ly/inpersoncoachsignup