Teens create Lego replica of Meredith Public Library for building's 125th anniversary

MEREDITH — A Lego replica of Meredith Public Library built by teens is now on display.

The idea of building a Lego replica, led by librarian MaryBeth King, is to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the library's building. King and the teens built the replica by referring to a photo of the building, using brick Lego pieces they already had, and some they ordered.

“We ordered some Lego castle bricks and just winged it,” King said. “We did it with no directions.”

Any teens who visited the library while the replica was being built were welcome to participate. Teens who worked on the build included Aria Klaft, Izabella Horne, and April Dudley.

“It’s cool that people took time out of their day to come to the library and work on it,” Dudley said.

By the time the structure was complete, King said a total of around 10 teens had worked on it.

“Every day I came back, and I saw little pieces added on,” Horne said. “It was really fun and unique.”

The replica is open on the top, so the inside of the library building can be shown. The group put together details including book shelves with actual book titles, and Lego figures reading inside.

“Everybody who worked on it got their own mini figure,” Klaft said. “It was really fun.”

“I thought the idea of putting mini books on shelves was super cool,” Dudley said. “It looks very realistic, and identical to the library.”

King estimates the replica took a full day to finish, with all the working hours put together. King hopes the replica will be on display for years to come, to show off how the teens worked together to complete the project.

“It took a lot of teamwork. We’re all like a little library family,” King said. “I’m sure if its handled with care, it will last.”

The library is open Tuesday through Saturday, at 91 Main St., for viewing of the replica. For hours, visit meredithlibrary.org. Meredith Public Library is closed Friday and Saturday, July 3-4, to celebrate Independence Day.