The 3rd Annual How-To Expert Festival at the Guelph Public Library Saturday attracted experts from 14 different skill sets to share their knowledge with people of all ages.
“It’s about encouraging life-long learning,” said GPL virtual services librarian Jen Griesbach. “We’re providing a tangible environment where people can learn a skill in 10 minutes or less.”
There were hands-on instructions on a variety of practical skills such as knitting, home repair and self defense as well as fun-related activities such as painting, juggling and solving a Rubik’s Cube.
“I’m in a competition with my boys,” said Lisa Panchuk who sought advice from GPL tech assistant Ben Lorimer on how to solve a Rubik’s Cube. “We have until Christmas to see who can solve it quicker.”
There were instructions on portrait and landscape painting as well as directions by Tau Briggs and Laura Paghal from the Guelph School of Art on how to make a relief print.
Andrew Giordano from the Youth Circus Project showed visitors how to juggle and Mike Marion and Karen Bluck from Fighting Griffin Family Karate taught self defense.
There were health experts from The Guelph Family Health Team who offered advice on staying healthy and Two Rivers Health with tips on how to boost your brain power.
Laura Mutton from ARCH HIV/AIDS Resource and Community Health spoke with festival visitors about the challenges people with HIV and AIDS face and efforts to overcome the stigma attached to the disease.
“It’s about spreading awareness and dispelling many of the myths about people living with HIV,” said Mutton. “Learning the truth creates a community of acceptance.”
Learning a practical skill can improve your prospects for getting a job and that is the mission of JOE Jobs Opportunities Enterprise of Guelph. Members from JOE set up a table in the library during the festival to serve coffee and brush up on their joke telling skills.
“We help young adults with disabilities learn about job opportunities,” said JOE project manager Karen Calzonetti. “Today, we’re serving a JOE-K with every cup of Planet Bean coffee.”
The purpose of the jokes was to bring some levity to the festival and brighten people’s day but some had a deeper, practical message about improving your skills.
“Why did the elephant quit the circus? He was tired of working for peanuts.”
