Ashland Bright Lights

By Brittany Amalfi

When the Ashland Public Library launched its Environmental Book Club in 2022, conversations quickly turned from reading about climate action to taking climate action. That shift sparked an idea for librarian Neetha Vuppala, who began searching for hands-on sustainability programs that could empower residents. Her search led her to the national Fixit Clinic movement—and soon, Ashland had one of its own.

“We hosted our first Fixit Clinic event in June of 2022,” Vuppala said. “It seemed like the right project since the public library is the heart of the community—where resource sharing happens in the best possible way.” The goal was simple yet impactful: to give people the chance to repair broken items instead of discarding them, saving money for residents and reducing the amount that ends up in landfills.

A Community Workshop with Lasting Impact

The Ashland Public Library now hosts two Fixit Clinics each year—on the first Saturday in June and the first Saturday in November. Each two-hour session invites residents to bring in damaged belongings, from household appliances to jewelry, and work directly with volunteer Fixit Coaches to diagnose and repair them.

Participants are encouraged to register online in advance, providing information about what they’re bringing and what they’ve already tried. Walk-ins are welcome, too. Once at the library, each person is paired with a coach who walks them step-by-step through the repair process.

“Most items are fixed in about a half hour,” Vuppala said. “People leave not only with a repaired item, but with a budding confidence in a do-it-yourself mindset.”

Common items are typically clothing, small furniture, lamps, shredders, coffee machines, and other household appliances. But of course, every Fixit Clinic brings surprises. One of the most memorable repairs, Vuppala recalled, involved an heirloom wooden child-sized chair passed down through generations. Coaches reinforced the worn chair legs and offered guidance on the right polish to keep it in good condition for years to come.

Who Makes a Fix-It Clinic Possible?

Fixit Coaches come from a variety of professional and educational backgrounds. Many are recruited through the Fixit Clinic’s national network, while others respond to library outreach through social media and newsletters.

But the best coaches, Vuppala said, all share one trait: “They have a ‘we can fix this’ problem-solving, engineering brain.” Some bring niche expertise—such as knife sharpening, sewing, soldering, and woodworking—and they collaborate freely, sharing tools and ideas as they tackle repairs together.

Beyond Fixing Things: A Shift in Mindset

For Vuppala, the Fix It Clinic isn’t just about repairing toasters or tightening chair legs. It’s about challenging a throwaway culture—one shaped by planned obsolescence and the convenience of simply replacing items.

“Repair is considered the fourth R of sustainability,” she continued. “Fixit Clinics aim to bring about a mindset change, helping people learn essential repair skills and giving their items a second lease on life. It cuts down on excessive consumption and reduces wasteful expenditure.”

The events are intentionally welcoming and family-friendly. Children often attend with their parents, watching repairs unfold and discovering the joy of tinkering. “It ignites enthusiasm from an early age,” Vuppala said.

How to Get Involved

Those interested in attending should bring their item, any parts that might be needed, and an open mind. While most repairs are successful, some items are simply beyond saving. “Be prepared to be okay if the item cannot be fixed,” Vuppala noted.

Prospective coaches are encouraged to bring any tools they have at home and be ready to guide participants through the entire process. “One important goal is to educate the customer,” she said.

When asked about her favorite part of the Fixit Clinic, Vuppala didn’t hesitate: the volunteers.

“I am always amazed by the coaches who dedicate their time and expertise,” she said. “They inspire with their sense of purpose and strive to fix as many items as possible. Their enthusiasm is contagious.”

With growing participation and a spirit of collaboration, Ashland’s Fix It Clinic continues to strengthen the community with one repair, one skill, and one saved item at a time.