Children engaging in reading and creative play at the Boston Public Library's LEGO-funded literacy programs.
LEGO has announced a $1 million grant to the Boston Public Library to enhance children’s literacy and engagement initiatives, impacting over 150,000 children in the Greater Boston area. The funding will support programs for various age groups and foster community development, including parent literacy kits, expanded LEGO clubs, and interactive events. Key goals include increasing library card sign-ups and encouraging a love for reading among children. This initiative highlights LEGO’s commitment to community involvement and educational growth in Boston.
Boston – LEGO has committed to enhancing children’s literacy and engagement programs through a generous $1 million grant to the Boston Public Library (BPL). This funding is part of a two-year project designed to impact over 150,000 children in the Greater Boston area, underscoring the company’s dedication to community involvement and educational development.
The grant will be allocated to various initiatives aimed at promoting learning through play and strengthening communal ties in Boston. The funding will be divided into three main components, targeting different age groups and library resources. Programs will cater to young children under age 9, children aged 9 to 13, and also include investment in staffing and training opportunities for library personnel.
For children under the age of nine, the program will provide 12,000 parent literacy kits. Each kit will contain essential items, including books, multilingual resources, and LEGO bricks, to promote early literacy and engagement in learning. These kits will be distributed through local hospitals and community organizations to ensure easy access for families.
BPL plans to relaunch its “1,000 books before kindergarten” campaign, which will now integrate digital tracking tools along with enriching content from LEGO’s Learning Through Play initiative. This relaunch aims to motivate parents and children to engage more actively in reading from a young age.
Additionally, BPL will train ten multilingual “parent ambassadors” to lead interactive story times at various locations throughout Boston, further enhancing literacy opportunities for young children and their families.
For the slightly older demographic of children aged 9 to 13, the grant will significantly expand existing LEGO Clubs at more than 11 BPL branches. These clubs will include enriching activities centered on civic education, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) projects, and storytelling, allowing children to engage creatively and collaboratively.
LEGO will encourage volunteer participation from its employees to lead these club sessions, providing students with mentorship from professionals in the creative industry. Moreover, the funding will also support 20 interactive events featuring authors and musicians, facilitating a love for literature and the arts among children in this age group.
In addition to these engagements, the BPL has outlined plans for a summer design competition that will conclude with a mural displayed at the BPL Central Library located in Copley Square. This initiative seeks to inspire creativity and community spirit among young residents.
The library has set ambitious goals to achieve 21,000 new library card sign-ups and aim for over 600,000 checkouts of early literacy books as a direct result of the activities funded by this grant. BPL leaders emphasize the critical role of incorporating play into children’s development and the importance of such initiatives for overall community engagement.
LEGO’s new U.S. headquarters has opened in Boston, occupying 157,000 square feet across six floors at 1001 Boylston St. This new facility is strategically located to attract talented individuals and foster partnerships with local colleges and museums. The company officially launched its headquarters with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the governor of Massachusetts and the mayor of Boston, underscoring the cooperative effort to build strong community partnerships.
LEGO’s CEO highlighted the company’s affection for Boston, attributing the decision to move to the city’s rich history of creativity and learning. Through initiatives such as this grant, LEGO aims to enhance educational experiences for children and build lasting connections within the community.
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