Chapter 10: LEGOs in the Library by Megan Lotts

I was ready for this chapter! I’d love to plan a LEGO wall or table in our library. As I read through this chapter I was glad Ms. Lotts addressed the problem of things disappearing or walking away. I’ve already had this problem the first time I introduced littleBits during my 3rd,4th and 5th grade classes. The two motormates have not been located again since the 2nd day. The parts aren’t expensive but the shipping is!(the same price as the parts!) Anyway, I am grateful for this chapter. I may have to rethink where I would put this, and frankly, where the makerspaces are located.

I have a “u” shaped library as I’ve mentioned before. The circulation desk and my office are the middle. I cannot see the two ends of the U when I’m in the center. My plan was to locate the spaces in one of the tips of the U, and I’ve even considered checking into a plexiglass or some other type of see through walls. That’s still a consideration but I’ll have to check into the costs. If the spaces were more in the central area I’ll have to rethink where reading areas are located. I’m thinking now might be the right time for a survey!

Back to the chapter. Loved the short history of LEGOS; I truly had no idea they’d been around so long! The LEGO group was founded in Denmark in the 1930’s and the “Automatic Binding Brick with four and eight studs” (Lotts cited Tine Frogerg Mortensen’s “LEGO History Timeline” for this information) was created in 1949. I’m wondering why I didn’t play with them as a child. Maybe I did? I remember Lincoln Logs, but I’m guessing the red and black “bricks” we played with at my Grandparent’s house might actually have been LEGO’s?

Cleaning the LEGOS, I hadn’t thought about this at length as our students have only used them a few times. But, the flu is going around and this does need to be a consideration. I’ll have to work out a schedule and see that this happens!

I do love all the possibilities for free play, organized problem solving, community building, and creating excitement in the library. Again, my concerns seem to revolve around making too much noise for classrooms in my open library, containing the LEGOs, when they come out, and where they are housed and used. I’m sure this is a major concern for most libraries. As an interior designer my thoughts drift off to drawings, bubble designs, circulation patterns…A space plan for our library! Perhaps that needs to be my next endeavor, get the library drawn. If it’s all measured out and drawn perhaps I can work more on that when I’m not in full rotation as I am now. 7 classes a day doesn’t leave any time for drawing and dreaming! Maybe I could get my student’s ideas!
LEGOS