(Editor’s note: Last names of those quoted in this story were not used at the request of the individuals and/or their parents.)
The JC Holliday Library in Clinton drew a grand gathering earlier in the week when staff offered a Lego Lab, so much so that the library system director, Kelsey Edwards, had to find an additional table and chairs as more children and their guardians continued to pour in.
The lab, held Wednesday afternoon, was filled with tables, each with a large pile of Legos on them, plus a list of Lego Challenge ideas that offered different and imaginative building ideas, such as a ship that carries explorers or a time machine to visit the past.
Looking at the turnout, Edwards commented, “I’m just excited to see the kids out having fun and using Legos to build things and explore.
“Actually, I was only going to have four tables, but they’re almost full, so I’m putting out one more table,” she added.
Edwards led the event, but acted more as a host than supervisor, allowing the children and families plenty of space to build at their own pace. As more people kept showing up, Edwards went on to gather more chairs.
At every table, families and friends worked on creating their own unique Lego ideas, sharing bricks and ideas back and forth.
“This is, I think, our second year,” recalled Sidra. She sat busily building Legos along with her children: Ezra, Benjamin, and Rachel.
“I’m a teacher, so I come all the time in the summer, as much as I can,” said Virginia, a teacher at Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary School in Duplin County. She brought her children, including Jasper, Stormy, and Elaina. As they sat around building Legos together, she attested that they come to the library’s Lego events as often as they can.
“I’m making an umbrella,” explained Ansleigh to her friend, Taylor. They were brought to the event by Ansleigh’s mother, MaryAnn.
Children were also invited to guess how many Legos the library had in a jar. That competition lasted through yesterday, July 31. The winner of that drawing will receive a new Lego Creator set, courtesy of the library.
The Lego Lab was “a wrap” for the Sampson-Clinton Public Library system’s Summer Reading events series, explained Edwards.
She wanted to remind parents and children, though, that they still have time — until Friday, Aug. 7 — to turn in kids’ reading log sheets to the library and become eligible for various prizes. Small prizes will be given out between now and Aug. 7; after all of the log sheets are received, drawings will be held for other special items.