The Baxter Memorial Library is sponsoring its first repair fair on Saturday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. While this will be the first such event in Gorham in recent memory, it is also part of a regional and nationwide trend, in which people with specialized knowledge teach others how to repair and mend all kinds of everyday objects. This free event will be facilitated by at least 14 volunteers from the local community and is open to all residents of Gorham and surrounding towns. Besides teaching repair skills, these volunteer “repair experts” are also available to actually repair many of the items themselves.
Some examples of items that are appropriate to bring include sweaters, shirts, and pants with holes that need to be mended; clothing which needs elastic bands or zippers replaced; simpler appliances like lamps, vacuums, and coffee grinders that need new cords; broken costume jewelry; bicycles with flat tires, broken chains or worn out brakes; and furniture that has rungs or legs that need to be re-glued. Parents and children may want to try bringing toys whose electric motors have stopped running.
In the past few years, events like this have been held in Portland, Brunswick, and South Portland. Similar events are scheduled at libraries in Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth.
Assistant librarian Nissa Flanagan is coordinating the event for the library. She commented that she was surprised when so many people from Gorham offered their expertise and assistance so quickly, just after she posted a notice asking for volunteers. She added that some volunteers said they wanted to help their neighbors after living here for many years, while others see it as a way to meet their neighbors after recently moving here.
Recent news articles about other local repair events have mentioned that many people see them as primarily ecological in nature, as they can help prevent damaged or worn items from going into landfills. Some people have also emphasized the economic benefits, as the events help people save money when they don’t have to replace worn out items so quickly. Others point out the community-building aspects of gathering people together to help each other accomplish some positive, beneficial tasks.