Des Moines Repair Cafe helps fix your things for free

How it started: As more people become sustainably minded, Repair Cafes have popped up worldwide as community spaces where people can learn new skills and get items repaired for free.

• Inspired by the idea, Vikram Bhargava started a Repair Cafe with his friends at the Ames Public Library in 2022 and it quickly grew in popularity.
• Des Moines Library staff helped Bhargava start a similar program here. It launched in August last year and has regularly drawn 30-40 people to their events.

How it works: People can bring in one item they would like fixed and wait in line for a volunteer to help them.

• Eligible items include clothes, small home tools, kitchen appliances and electronics. They won't fix microwaves, phones and televisions.

💭 Linh's thought bubble: I brought in a backpack with a ripped strap to the event last Sunday and waited about 30 minutes for my turn.

• A volunteer quickly sewed it back up and — voila — it was good as new.

What's next: The next event is tentatively planned for April.

• They plan to hold two to three events next year, according to a library spokesperson.