News

When the Withee Public Library received its Science Kits for Public Libraries (SKPL) grant, Library Director Brandon Hardin knew it had the potential to transform the smallest corner of the library—the youth area—into a hub of curiosity, learning, and joyful discovery. What he didn’t expect was just how deeply the kits would resonate with families across this rural Wisconsin community.

Today, thanks to the support of the IEEE Region 4 Science Kits for Public Libraries (SKPL) program, the library’s Learning LEGO Express initiative has become one of the most beloved programs in town.

“It struck a chord with the community.”

The program launched with 20 unique LEGO-based science kits, each designed to teach early STEM concepts through hands-on play. Families responded almost immediately—kits were checked out, returned quickly, and placed on hold as soon as they came back.

Parents of toddlers fell in love with the My Daily Routines kit, praising the large, safe LEGO pieces and the way the kit helped their young children understand everyday tasks. A few families were so excited that they brought their 2 and 3-year-olds to LEGO Club -children far younger than the library ever expected to attend. They became regulars.

Older children gravitated toward BricQ Motion & Movement, often taking it home after starting a project during LEGO Club. And across every age, kits sparked conversations, learning moments, and shared discoveries between kids and caregivers.

Even adults couldn’t resist. Some of the library’s regular puzzle-borrowers switched to checking out LEGO kits—proof that hands-on creativity is appealing at any age.

Growth the Library Could Feel—And See

The impact was immediate and unmistakable:

• Youth attendance rose at the monthly LEGO Club meetings.
• Parents began requesting more preschool-friendly and beginner-level kits.
• Preteens became deeply engaged with motion, engineering, and building kits.
• Adults discovered a new outlet for creativity and problem-solving.
• Not a single LEGO has been lost, thanks to the care patrons show for the kits.

“We’ve seen a noticeable increase in younger patrons and their parents showing up for youth-based activities,” Hardin shared. “It has definitely struck a chord with the community.”

The growth was so strong that it stretched beyond the library’s walls. Local schools, newspapers, and businesses helped spread the word through posters, bookmarks, and monthly articles.

The Learning LEGO Express became well-known, well-loved, and most importantly, well-used.

Building Skills, Confidence, and Connection

Some of the most powerful moments have come from simple, spontaneous feedback:

• Parents shared that their children have become more expressive and less shy thanks to the Buildable People with Big Emotions kit.
• Families said that hands-on kits helped them connect with their children during busy weeks.
• Children who were hesitant about STEM activities found a playful and unintimidating entry point.
• A few parents bought their own kits after their children fell in love with the library’s kits.

The Klutz “Chain Reactions” and “Gadgets” kits—printed activity sheets—also sparked creativity and conversation. The library found an affordable way to include two free sheets with each checkout while offering additional ones for a small fee, allowing the kits to circulate successfully.

Every kit had a story.
Every story had joy at its center.

Challenges Met with Care

While the program has run smoothly, one challenge stands out: checking kits back in.
Each kit contains dozens—even hundreds—of small pieces, and every item must be visually verified using a master checklist. Yet the community stepped up.

On the rare occasion a piece was missing, families found it and returned it.

Not a single LEGO has been lost.

This level of responsibility and excitement speaks to how meaningful the kits have become at Withee Public Library.

Looking Ahead: A Library Dream Fueled by Donors

Director Hardin has big plans for the future:

• More early-childhood LEGO kits, which have proven to be the most loved and most educational.
• An online kit database, so families can browse kits from home—pending website upgrades.
• A time-lapse building video on the library’s site to spark even more curiosity.
• Continued expansion of the Learning LEGO Express to meet growing demand.

When asked whether the library would apply for another SKPL grant, Hardin didn’t hesitate:

“Yes. The Learning LEGO Express has been a passion project of mine…
To see it come to fruition has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my time as Director.”

He described the program as a way of “passing on a torch”—the same spark of imagination his own hometown library once gave him.

“It’s been absolutely wonderful.”

For a small library in a small town, the Learning LEGO Express has become much more than a collection of kits. It is:

• A gateway into STEM learning
• A source of family bonding
• An invitation to creativity
• A reason for children to fall in love with the library
• And a reminder of how donor generosity can ripple through an entire community

Thanks to donors to the IEEE Region 4 SKPL program, Withee Public Library transformed a simple idea into a vibrant, joyful, and continually expanding program that is meaningful to patrons of all ages.

This is what your support makes possible.
One kit, one child, one moment of discovery at a time.