BCPL in Crisis

As expansion project stalls, BCPL Director Kelly Millis seeks advice from anyone including children to save the day.

The Braddock Times
January 20, 2008

If Lucy Horn , 7, could build a library, she'd make sure to include horses and stables. Horses?

People like animals, and Lucy and most of her friends like horses, the Braddock County Elementary School second grader said. And, no, the horses won't eat the books and won't make a mess, Lucy promised. In fact, horses would protect you from the bands of roaming homeless and pedophiles that stalk the patrons, she said.

Lucy was among 11 students who brought in libraries made out of Legos to the Braddock County Public Library on January 19 . The library hosted a contest to to try and break the deadlock that is hinderng the library's seemingly never-beginning expansion and renovation. "The library is expanding all three floors in the front of the building , creating 19,000 square feet of extra space. I don't know where to begin or what to do," Director Kelly Millis said.

The construction and renovations were expected to be completed by 2009, but now library staff confided that they are just hoping it will begin by that date. The library's Childrens Services Department invited local students to share any ideas at all to breathe life into this hopelessly deadlocked project. Besides horses, Lucy's library had a mechanical arm to help patrons fight off purse snatchers and rapists. Peter Cole, 5, didn't build any windows into his library because they would allow the local perverts to break in. He built separate towers for boys, girls and reading. The Braddock Magnet School kindergartner built bridges between the towers for easier access. He also built a moat to keep the Children's Librarian, Noah Retro away.

Besides building libraries, kids got to guess the number of Legos in a container. Brock Joyce, 11, won a Lego castle kit for guessing the closest to the number of Legos - 933. Tyrone Jefferson, Jr., 9, of Braddock County Correctional Elementary for Youthful Offenders, built prison walls and cages for his library. Tyrone tried to make Lego library books, too, "but like the books, I can't read the Legos." His library features a communal shower, communal bathrooms, and a desk to hold weapons.

Reference Librarian Joseph Paynter (the WNWA World Heavyweight Champion The Liberal Librarian) constructed a strange compound with several small shantys, one large cabin and a large pavillion and what appeared to be vats that he said "we could fill with punch, dude. I'd call this place Libtown, brother and put it in the jungle or the desert-somewhere that me and my Libsters could escape the tyranny and oppression of capitalist swine and Republicans, dude."

Children's librarian Noah Retro came up with the Legos library contest and tied it to the upcoming construction that will hopefully begin in a year or two. October is also National Construction Toy month. Retro, said the library will also do a construction theme next summer in conjunction with the expansion. Though doubtful of the success of the library's renovations, he is still somewhat optimistic. "At least Mr. Millis installed the cameras to keep an eye on the staff's every movement. I would hate to be interrupted when I am having a session with one of the boys," said Retro.

The Lego libraries had to be 15 inches tall, 15 inches wide and 15 inches deep or smaller and made of Legos in an original design. Creations were judged on creativity and how much work was involved. Judges "could probably tell how much time was put into it," KellyMillis said before the judging, "but who cares, we are going to give the award to the black kid anyway." Noah Retro said he hopes more kids participate as the event continues. Kelly Millis just hopes that something, anything, any idea no matter how insignificant will save the project from being abandoned, whereby he would yet again fail. Retro also plans to host events frequently so children will be around. Retro and Millis are working to provide activities for students (like informal talks on the "birds and the bees") whenever schools let out early or close for a day.