Submitted by the Lopez Island Library

The Lopez Island Library is pleased to announce its collaboration with the Lopez Solid Waste Alternative Program (SWAP) in conjunction with SWAP’s annual theme for 2019, “The Year of Re-Use.” The library will be producing a monthly series of hands-on programs that focus on fun and family-friendly upcycling, re-use, and re-purposing activities, facilitated by Nikyta Palmisani (SWAP) and Malia Sanford (Lopez Library). The first program will be a Repair Café on Saturday, April 27 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Bring in items that need simple repairs in three main categories: appliances, furniture, and textiles/clothes. This event is to help get all those old, beloved items out of the corners of your houses and closets and back into use! If your item needs a replacement part, please get that part and bring it with you on Saturday, April 27. There is a burgeoning repair movement spreading across the world, in reaction to the wasteful consumer-based culture, with the ultimate aim being to empower people to realize that it doesn’t take much to bring seemingly defunct things back to life. The value is immediate, from saving people money to reducing the amount we throw away in the trash.

Additional “Year of Reuse” programs include Up-Cycled Flower Pots on May 25; 3D-Printing class on June 22; an outdoor “Book Nook” Cardboard Challenge on July 5, using recycled cardboard and the leftover books from the Fourth of July annual book sale; and more programming throughout the summer and fall months. Mark your calendars and join us in celebration of The Year of Reuse!

If you are interested in volunteering as a fixer for the Repair Cafe event, or future Repair Cafes, contact Nikyta Palmisani at malia@lopezlibrary.org or Malia Sanford at malia@lopezlibrary.org.