Story and Photos by RORY MOORE
Tiger Media Network
The Outreach Department at Forsyth collaborated with the Hays Public Library to teach a class for students on how to cook without using a stove inside the Learning Kitchen of the Fischli-Willis Center on Tuesday. The event was led by Forsyth Library Engagement Specialist Anna Towns and HPL Public Service Librarian Jessica Shields and is part of a How-To series.
Towns organized the class to ensure students were aware of the campus library’s resources amid the renovations inside Forsyth.
“Most of the building is closed off,” she said. “So, we were trying to find ways that we could still host programming. A lot of what we’ve done in the past is have a space available for things like talks and presentations, and since we don’t have that presentation space, we were trying to find ways that we could still interact with students.”
The class taught students how to cook while living on campus and adapt to a setting without a stove.
“It can be daunting when you’re on your own for the first time or if you’ve been at home where you have access to more cooking implements,” Towns said. “This gives them an autonomy to be able to be out on their own, have some fun, experiment with recipes, and provide for themselves. So, it gives them the confidence boost of, ‘Yes, I am on my own, but that’s okay. I can do this.’”
Shields was on board with the idea of hosting a How-To series with Towns because both libraries are facing construction-related circumstances.
“We’re both lacking our space,” she said. “They have their renovations going on, and we’re having our basement remodeled. So, Anna and I knew each other previously, and we thought we could do something and bring the team together.”
The class was intended not only to teach students how to cook without a stove but also to show them options beyond what is served on campus or at restaurants.
“I think this helps by expanding food options when it can be limited to what is in the cafeteria,” Shields said. “It can be personalized, and you can do different diets and whatever you need to maximize your health. Plus, it’s more budget-friendly.”
While some students took this opportunity to learn how to cook for the first time, some used it to further their knowledge of what they can cook and how.
Freshman Lilly Payne attended the tutorial to become used to a cooking environment that was not a kitchen.
“I grew up in 4-H and I was really big in the foods and nutrition program,” she said. “I love to cook, and it’s hard being in college and not having my own kitchen. So, this was an interesting class that they set up because it helps be able to cook in the dorm like I want to.”
While some dorms have kitchens, as Payne points out, not everyone can use them conveniently.
“The kitchens are nice and they’re well stocked,” Payne said. “But we have to share it with our whole floor, so it’s being used at times. And now, I’m able to still cook for myself and my friends in my room.”
More programming events for both Forsyth Library and Hays Public Library can be found on their websites.
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