ALBANY

Historic Albany Foundation, which advocates for historic buildings in Albany, began its Tool Lending Library in August 2022 at its facility located at 89 Lexington Ave. Here, anyone could borrow tools and learn skills to make home maintenance more accessible. One resounding piece of feedback we received? The city of Albany wanted a Repair Cafe. Luckily, one of our Tool Librarians, Dave West, had a plethora of experience to help guide us; he is the organizer emeritus for the Schenectady RC and has been instrumental to the the Repair Cafe growth in the Capital region. In partnership with the Albany Public Library, we held our first Repair Cafe in June 2023.

What is a Repair Cafe?

Repair Cafes are free meeting places and they’re all about repairing things together. You’ll find expert volunteers with repair skills in all kinds of fields who will help repair your items (and teach you how to!)

Visitors bring their broken items from home. Together with the specialists they start making their repairs in the Cafe. If you have nothing to repair, you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, or lend a hand with someone else’s repair job.

The Repair Cafe works on donations. You can donate before, during, or after the cafe if you're able to.

What Kind of Items Can We Fix?

This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you an idea of what we can work on
- Lamps
- Clothes
- Toys
- Jewelry
- Tools
- Furniture
- Bicycles
- Vacuum Cleaners
- Small appliances
- Tools that need sharpening
- PLEASE NOTE: No microwaves!

If your item needs a specific part (such as a belt for a particular model) please bring the replacement. We have general parts available for free (such as wires) and we have items available to purchase (like switches) at cost price.

The cafe is first come, first served and we will try and get through as many people as possible.

Rules:
You are welcome to bring several items, but must go to the end of the line after each is fixed.

Parts:
We have a variety of different parts on hand, but if your item needs a specific part to be fixed, please purchase it before and bring it with you. We charge at cost for the parts we provide. We can take cards, cash or checks.

Waiting Times:
We can't predict how long it may take to fix an item, so please be patient; this is not a drop off service. Bring a book, chat with fellow attendees, watch a fix and maybe learn some new skills! Please note you must stay in line. If you leave the waiting area your place will not be saved.

Have questions about what kind of items you can bring for repair? Or would you like to offer your skills to repair things for your neighbors? Please contact us at mfahy@historic-albany.org or at (518) 465-0876.