Station North Tool Library hosts 'Fix It Fair' to repair broken items

The event aims to prevent items from ending up in landfills by providing volunteer repair assistance.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 9:02pm

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The Station North Tool Library in Baltimore is hosting a 'Fix-It Fair' on April 18 where volunteers will help attendees repair broken items like clothes, small appliances, electronics, bikes, instruments, and more. The event focuses on teaching people how to fix their own items in the future and diverting waste from landfills.

Why it matters

The 'Fix-It Fair' promotes sustainability and community engagement by providing a space for residents to learn repair skills and extend the lifespan of their belongings. In a city like Baltimore with high rates of poverty, the event helps make repair services accessible to those who may not be able to afford professional fixes.

The details

The 'Fix-It Fair' will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is run by volunteers from the Station North Tool Library and partner organizations like Baltimore Bicycle Works, B.Y.K.E, Prophecy Instruments, and DPW. Attendees can bring up to two items to be repaired, and the library has a wide selection of tools available for borrowing, including power tools, gardening equipment, and more. While electronics and textile recycling will be available, the main focus is on teaching people hands-on repair skills.

  • The 'Fix-It Fair' will take place on April 18, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The players

Jenn Kim

The director of programs at the Station North Tool Library.

Station North Tool Library

A tool lending library in Baltimore that is hosting the 'Fix-It Fair' event.

Baltimore Bicycle Works

A local organization partnering with the Station North Tool Library for the 'Fix-It Fair'.

B.Y.K.E

A local organization partnering with the Station North Tool Library for the 'Fix-It Fair'.

Prophecy Instruments

A local organization partnering with the Station North Tool Library for the 'Fix-It Fair'.

DPW

A local organization partnering with the Station North Tool Library for the 'Fix-It Fair'.

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What they’re saying

“So, we have a lot of volunteer menders, fixers, tinkerers, bike repair, instrument repair.”

— Jenn Kim, Director of Programs

“So, we really encourage people to sit with their fixers and learn how to fix the object that they've brought mainly to give them confidence to maybe fix something of their own in the future.”

— Jenn Kim, Director of Programs

“We have a lot of clothes that are brought. We have a huge mending squad that can take care of rips, holes, broken zippers, things like that. We have small appliances. We have both, you know, electronic and mechanical objects that can be worked on.”

— Jenn Kim, Director of Programs

“You can bring up to two items to the 'Fix-it Fair' so we try to encourage people to stick with that, because we have a over 200 people come through with broken items.”

— Jenn Kim, Director of Programs

“You can borrow tools from us; you can borrow them for up to two weeks. We do have a membership similar to having a library card, but it's a sliding scale membership, so we don't turn anybody away for lack of funds.”

— Jenn Kim, Director of Programs

What’s next

The 'Fix-It Fair' will take place on April 18, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Station North Tool Library in Baltimore.

The takeaway

The 'Fix-It Fair' demonstrates how community-driven repair initiatives can promote sustainability, reduce waste, and empower residents to extend the life of their belongings. By providing accessible repair services and teaching hands-on skills, the event helps address environmental and economic challenges facing Baltimore residents.