LEGO Mania - Sweeping through libraries and getting stuck in your vacumes all over the USA!!

For years and years the Summer Reading Program at the public library where I work has always boasted a new bike as the 'top prize' for the luck boy and girl reading winners.  I think bikes are totally cool, wonderful, great rewards for reading diligently all summer, filling out your summer reading log, and dutifully submitting your reading minutes to your local library's reading program.  However, last year I suggested that we add a second place prize our potential awards list....A LEGO castle...valued at $150!   Oh the horror, the madness, the library not giving only bikes away!?!?.....the children begging me to let them win the castle if they won instead.  Nearly every single child wanted to win second place so they could take home a Lego Castle.




Our library hosts a Lego club each week that welcomes 10 -20 children plus adults and other siblings.  Lego clubs are a fun and easy way to promote literacy in your library, engage reluctant and/or eager readers, brings families in every week, and is guaranteed to improve circulation and program attendance.   Can you say, "Everything is Awesome"?(This is a reference to the Lego Movie - No matter how old, hip, or technologically talented you are, you NEED to see this movie!)  For libraries desperately trying to bring a 'maker-space' group into the library or simply trying to reach out to potential new patrons, Lego clubs are a win win. 



Our library had nearly all the Legos donated by the community.   Legos maybe a bit on the pricey side, but they are durable, long lasting, high quality, and compatible with all different sets - Chima, Ninjago, Harry Potter, Lego City - they're all Legos and all fit and work together.  When people brought in 20 year old Legos and 10 year old Legos, we were able to pool all the parts together and get building!  They're also easy to clean in the washing machine and rarely crack or break.  We have 100s and 1000s of Lego and Lego people - and our club is growing.


This type of club has many connections to literacy.  Literacy is dynamic and has practical applications with many kinds of library clubs.  In this case, understanding architecture and building technology, how to construct race cars, building house....it's all literacy.  We host Lego themed contests through out the year that involve reading, writing, and construction skills and boy oh boy do our patrons attend these special events.  We've also had to increase our ordering of Lego fiction and non-fiction titles for books and DVDs - and they rarely sit on the shelf for more than a couple days.


For the avid Lego user and reader you can even sign up for a FREE Lego Magazine subscription.  We actually get 2 subscriptions and circulate them in our library system.  This magazine is high quality and engaging...but also includes a catalog of, you guessed it, popular Lego toys and sets. But, it's still free and maybe you'll find the perfect gift for your little nugget.  Although you maybe cursing as you read this because you just stepped on or swept up another Lego sword, remember that Legso can provide your family with some unique reading and literacy opportunities - maybe even for free, if you visit your local library.   Have an AWESOME night.

Weekly Read - I Love New York!

Each day the website DayByDayNY offers one free high quality book that children can read with their families, read alone, with a buddy, at school, at home, or even on a smart device.  While most people know how to find  eBooks of varying quality on the Web, these books are GREAT!   They're high quality, but are only offered for one day.  Why only one day?  Well, that's the hook - if you find a book you want to read again, you won't find it for free on the website - you have to visit your local library.  BAM!

Often times people assume that the quality of a FREE book on the Internet will be good. Unfortunately that is just not true most of the time.  DaybyDayNY provides a vital link between families, literacy, and libraries.  It gives families a wonderful resource to use everyday, but a daily reminder to visit their local library.  To be honest, it makes my job as a public children's librarian easier.

The website is easy to navigate and provides rich resources to enhance the story: Arts & Crafts, Be Healthy, Fun Museums in NY, and Read With Me.  The site makes it incredibly easy to find a local library by hyperlinking a 'click here' so that New York State users can locate the closest library to their home. Go ahead and try it CLICK HERE. There is not much text on the main page and it is easy to use by adults and children.  The page is a winner!


Homeschool families would love the quality of this website.  It would be sort of like a story surprise each day - accompanied by crafts and activities.  I love it when someone takes the work out of  lesson planning and parenting.  And...it's FREE and HIGH QUALITY.


This can be viewed on all computers and smart devices.  Because the page is concise and well organized, it's easy to navigate on all these devices as well.   As a thrifty mom and librarian - I raise an eyebrow when I hear "FREE".  But with DayByDayNY, I raise my eyebrows with delight. When will you visit for a free eBook?