How-To Festival (Le Sueur)

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$987
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient Type
Libraries
Status
Completed
Start Date
April 2015
End Date
April 2015
Activity Type
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Counties Affected
Le Sueur
Le Sueur
Project Overview
This community-based interactive learning festival offered 18 free classes/demonstrations that were held in various areas in the Library. This all-ages festival allowed people to quickly develop skills they would normally not seek out, sample new ideas, and enhance community spirit. Classes included: How to create container flower gardens, make essential oils, draw a jazzy face, grow funky and exotic vegetables, start a running program, create spring floral arrangements, get fit using 20-minute start-the-day exercises, play Settlers of Catan, identify Minnesota birds, solve a Sodoku, play Ticket to Ride, make healthy snacks, download books from OverDrive, do arm knitting, decorate stunning cookies, find apps for your phone, fold a perfect paper crane, make your own henna tattoos. The event was held on an extremely beautiful afternoon, which may be why we didn’t get the turnout we expected. We did not incorporate a tent outside because staff was nervous about mid-April weather. While the event crowd was small, everyone who attended was enthusiastic.
Project Details
200
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota for 2013 Chapter 137, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 4
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$987
Other Funds Leveraged
$2,622
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Participants will learn at least one new skill.
Participants will be able to create or complete a skill using the techniques learned.
Participants will enjoy an educational experience.
Participants will feel community spirit.

Measurable Outcome(s)

1. Did you enjoy the festival today? If yes, what was your favorite part?
Yes: 16
No: 0
Comments:
• Such a great idea and fun to be a participant and presenter
• Experienced, professional speakers
• Learning new things
• Not exercises; would have liked to see them demonstrated

2. Did you learn a new skill today?
Yes: 15
No: 1
Comments:
• Arm knitting, crane folding

3. Do you think you will create/complete a project using the techniques taught today?
Yes: 16
No: 0

4. Will you be checking out any how-to books at our library in the future?
Yes: 10
No: 5
Maybe: 1

5. Please list suggestions for any how-to sessions you would like the library to hold next time:
• I’d do mine again
• Longer time slots or put certain events last that will take longer to do
• More tech classes on smart phones or notebooks
• Urban foraging
• Each session should be long
• Weekday evening?

6. Where did you hear about this program?
Library: 10
Friend/Relative: 6
Newspaper Article: 1
Facebook: 1
Library postcard/mailing: 1

Additional comments:
As a presenter of a complex topic I could have used 10 more minutes. The students wanted to ask questions. I suggest +/- 10 minutes be gained by providing set up and take down time for presenters.

Source of Additional Funds

Le Sueur Public Library, local businesses helped promote the event, program speakers

Project Manager
First Name
Dayle
Last Name
Zelenka
Organization Name
Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative
Street Address
1400 Madison Avenue, Suite 622
City
Mankato
State
MN
Zip Code
56002-5488
Phone
507-625-6169
Email
dzelen@tds.lib.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN 55113-4266

Phone
651-582-8200