The Windsor Star: Windsor Public Library’s how-to event proves to be huge success

A How-To Festival was held on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 at the Budimir Branch of Windsor Public Library in Windsor, ON. The event featured an assortment of different how-to booths. Paresh Jariwala (L) gets a quick guitar lesson from Bob Soulliere from the South Windsor School of Music during the event. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)

By Dave Battagello | Sep 12


Within about half an hour, visitors to the Windsor Public Library’s Budimir branch Saturday could learn to play a guitar, how to knit, decorate a cupcake, perform a magic trick, basic CPR and a couple of yoga positions to calm down from it all.

It was part of the first-ever How-To Festival staged by the library where people could receive a quick introduction to over two dozen different skills.

“This is the first time for Windsor Public Library to try this,” said Christine Rideout-Arkell, team leader of the library’s community branches.

“Other library systems elsewhere have tried this before, so we kind of stole the idea from them and put our own twist on it.”

Budimir library was selected as the site because it is one of the busiest branches and also has plenty of space on the grounds where over two dozen booths were set up.

“People are always very much into do-it-yourself or wanting to learn new skills,” Rideout-Arkell said.

 

A How-To Festival was held on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 at the Budimir Branch of Windsor Public Library in Windsor, ON. The event featured an assortment of different how-to booths. Mike Bates, (R) owner of Refine Fitness Studio puts Mark Maurice and Kelly Youssef through a short exercise drill during the event. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star)

“This was also a chance to promote our non-fiction section. Each booth has books that people can check out on that topic, along with learning a new skill.”

Andy Chan with his son was among those in attendance. He tried his best at learning to strum a few bars on the guitar.

“I think this is a fantastic idea,” Chan said. “I hope they do this on a regular basis. Maybe try different locations around the city.

“I know I did awful (on the guitar), but it’s something my brother can do, so I also want to do it myself.”

Kelly Youssef and friend Marc Maurice were also busy trying many of the available activities. They learned how to decorate a cupcake, make salad dressing and a quick exercise program.

“This is awesome,” Youssef said. “It’s a great opportunity to learn some new things and get introduced to new businesses.”

Rideout-Arkell indicated the library will likely stage another similar event at some point soon with the main library downtown another possible location.

“It’s a really good event for all ages with a lot of fun things to learn,” she said.

 

A How-To Festival was held on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 at the Budimir Branch of Windsor Public Library in Windsor, ON. The event featured an assortment of different how-to booths. Albert Zhou, 4, learns how to handle a dog during the event. (DAN JANISSE/The Windsor Star).

From: The Windsor Star