Thunder Bay Public Library and Thunder Bay Repair Café met this week to finalize a Partnership Agreement between the two organizations that will ensure local residents will enjoy regular opportunities to have broken household items repaired, to learn to do their own repairs, and to help reduce overall waste for the rest of 2024.
The partnership commits to hold Repair Café events quarterly through the rest of 2024, with the first Café to be held at Waverley Resource Library in celebration of Earth Day on Saturday, April 20, 2024.
“Both the Library and the Repair Café bring together volunteers and visitors of all ages and interests,” Repair Café organizer Nancy Saunders said about the new partnership. “It’s a natural fit. Working together will allow us to offer more opportunities to the people of Thunder Bay to learn to make repairs, minimize unnecessary waste, and participate in free community events.”
Head Librarian Ruth Hamlin-Douglas enthusiastically agreed. “Partnerships like this help the Library in its mission to facilitate knowledge sharing and to help build a connected and healthy community,” she said. “Thunder Bay Repair Café shares core values with us including collaboration, access and sharing. We can’t wait to see what kind of learning opportunities people enjoy at these events!”
In addition to the Earth Day event, successive Repair Café events will be scheduled for July and October, with a strong possibility of renewing the partnership for 2025.
Background: Thunder Bay Public Library
The Thunder Bay Public Library’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan brings a renewed focus on collaboration, innovation, and experimentation – between the organization and community partners, and among its users. The sharing of knowledge in its many forms remains a major priority as does the opportunity to try out new things and provide ways to learn, share, build community and help one another.
The Library partners with local government, businesses, non-profits, and the community. We recognize that by collaborating and working together, we are stronger and more effective in achieving our collective goals. Partnership inquiries can be directed to Raili Roy at the number or email address below.
Background: Thunder Bay Repair Café
Thunder Bay Repair Café was founded in 2022 and has held five free Cafés at different spots around Thunder Bay. Event participation continues to grow and it’s clear that Thunder Bay residents want and need opportunities to have broken household items repaired, to learn to do their own repairs, and to help reduce overall waste.
At each Repair Café event, volunteer repair experts, or “Fixers”, help make all possible repairs free of charge while sharing their knowledge and walking attendees through the process. Successfully repaired household items include a leaf blower; a hair dryer; a straightening iron; several lamps; a garment steamer; a stereo receiver; luggage; a toaster; wooden chairs and tables; gaming consoles; jewelry; shoes, boots, and various items of clothing. More information: www.tbayrepaircafe.org
