LEGO Model of Withington Library!

Leigh, Service Development Coordinator for South area libraries, has shared her story about the fabulous LEGO model of Withington Library!

It was my pleasure to sit down and chat with one of our regular and special Withington library customers Jon, he wowed us all with his amazing Lego model of Withington library! Jon’s skill and talent for creating such life like models is outstanding.

Contracting Lyme disease changed Jon’s life completely, no longer able to enjoy all his energy filled outdoor hobbies, his brother gave him some Lego models to do, he did these and got the bug. After completing a model of the Taj Mahal, Jon decided he wanted to start doing his own models and being very passionate about Withington, the place he lives he wanted to do some of the iconic Withington buildings.

Jon started with a few smaller models like the Nat West building and Red Lion pub, and then moved on to the library. He approaches the models by studying the buildings first, taking photos, looking around them and using Google Earth and street view, he says it’s a lot of trial and error. Jon also makes his models by trying as much as possible to use the Lego bricks he already has, so this adds another dimension of figuring it out. It took Jon a few months to do the Withington library model. Due to his illness, Jon has days where he does nothing with the models and other days, he does a bit more. Jon loves the process and challenge of each build, he enjoys the technical challenges and the research and learning it takes.

Jon was very inspired to do something in his local area by community initiatives like Withington Walls, street art project and Withington pebbles. Jon is a real believer in the importance of libraries and believes they play an important part in their local communities; he says “they are an invaluable local institution”, and this is why he really wanted to make a model of the library. Jon loves the fact that we run free LEGO clubs for children and hopes his model will give the children lots of pleasure and inspiration.

Jon plans to continue his magnificent LEGO builds, he hopes to do Withington baths next, and ultimately plans to do a model of the Manchester Town Hall and Central library if he has enough LEGO bricks!!

You can see Jon’s LEGO model on display at Withington library.