BRIGHT BUILDERS - Lochran, 8, Roaran, 10, and Warren, 7, were part of the Lego club construction hour at the Janesville Public Library on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Young learners build Lego libraries
Thu, 04/30/2026 - 12:50am
In celebration of National Library Week, the Janesville Public Library held a Lego Club event on Monday, April 21. With six children coming and going, all under the age of 10, the table was a flurry of block-building activity.
Head Librarian Kelly Koplen was checking out books and supervising the little ones as they played, “I didn’t know how many children were going to show today. It looked like they wanted free play, but on days they need help, I do have building prompts and goals for them to reach.” She was right, they were doing just fine with their projects on their own.
There were four at the table, with a little blond-headed girl coming and going, “Because,” she shyly said, “I don’t want to build right now.” Roaran, 10, however had his production line working full flow, “I am building a flying library, it can also drive on the ground.” His project had four wheels, a chair to sit in and a steering wheel.
Next to him was Warren, 7. “I’m going to build a car with a house on the side. We can fit six people in here and they will watch The Wheel of Fortune.” He looked around for a moment, leaned over a little and whispered, “It’s my favorite show; I watch it all the time.”
Across the table from the two gentlemen was Lochran, 8. She was constructing a federal building, “I’m kinda just building a library, a kind of driving library.” She was asked what kind of books could be acquired in such a fine establishment as hers, and she replied, “I would maybe have The Babysitters Club books in it. Maybe Harry Potter too.”
Roaran added, “I want Percy Jackson books, and the Kane Chronicles, or just anything by Rick Riordan, he’s my favorite author.” Warren was nodding his head in agreement when Roaran added, “I also think my house should have a rocket booster.” Warren agreed.
A woman close by named Ashley was supervising all the children while also holding a little blue-eyed baby on her lap. She mentioned, “This is our first time in Janesville.” She went on to explain she and her children have taken part in children’s activities at numerous local libraries. She said the Janesville facility seemed to have the most room for Legos.