My too-brief brush with Nirvana at the LEGO store in Chicago.
If you have kids, or you’re just a kid at heart like me, you may have seen the various LEGO minifigure packs available in toy stores and other fine outlets. These little packs come in series (the most current release is series 7) of 16 collectible LEGO minifigures. A minifigure is a little LEGO person that you build.
The marketing genius of the LEGO minifigures rests in their collectability. Like baseball or Magic the Gathering cards, LEGO minifigures are a “blind-buy” product. The opaque, sealed pack means each $3.75 purchase is a crap-shoot! For example, in series 7 you could just as easily pull a Viking Woman as you could a Bunny Suit Guy!
No matter who you get, every figure comes with a nice little base and will stand perfectly on your desk, computer, or book shelf. So if I’m having a rough day, I can zone out and fiddle with my LEGO Aztec Warrior for five minutes, or perhaps change the hair on my Daredevil.
As you might expect, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh owns and loans some great books on the LEGO hobby. I’ll list a few here.
The Brick Bible: A New Spin on the Old Testament by Brendan Smith provides a fresh new look at the Holy Bible through the lens of LEGO.
The Cult Of LEGO by John Baichtal and Joe Meno explores the amazing creations of the thriving and varied LEGO community. You’ll find some of the most amazing LEGO constructs and projects you could ever imagine within the pages of this lovely coffee-table book.
LEGO : A Love Story by Jonathan Bender actually came out before The Cult of LEGO, and also offers a loving, if irreverent, tribute to the lengths “brick” fans will go to for their hobby.
The LEGO Ideas Book by Daniel Lipkowitz might be the ultimate LEGO activity book for kids of all ages. Divided into six thematic chapters, this book lets enterprising brick fans take their collections to new heights of creativity!
Minifigure Customization : Populate Your World! by Jared K. Burks will allow LEGO fans to dip their toes into the deep pool of minifigure customization. Now that Sid & Nancy LEGO diorama you’ve always wanted stands within your reach!
Lego Star Wars Character Encyclopedia by Hannah Dolan beautifully illustrates the kind of chocolate-and-peanut-butter synergy that exists between LEGO and the Star Wars universe. Nearly Every character from the films and many from the expanded universe stuff get a minifigure. Heck, if you fancy having your Admiral Ackbar minifigure in a kimono, just refer to Mr. Burks’ book listed above for more guidance!
LEGO Ninjago, Masters Of Spinjitzu provides a bit of kid-friendly LEGO DVD entertainment featuring the newest LEGO hotness, Ninjago! What do you get when you cross marital arts, Bakugan, and LEGO? Well, Ninjago, I guess. Check it out. It’s amazingly cool.
In spite of decades on the toy scene and a number of credible imitators (Mega Bloks, Kre-O), LEGO remains a fresh, exciting, and trailblazing property whose constant re-invention mirrors the tireless creativity of its adoring fans.
–Scott
Eleventh Stack 
LEGO! I have been reading so much about these things this summer. I am a LEGO fan and I read about these drones which people made using LEGO just at home. The possibilities are endless!
Well-said, Scott! The library also offers LEGO-themed programming via Imagination Builders, so you can read the books, play in person, or both!!
Leigh Anne
Thanks, LAV! Great tip!
Went a bit crazy when I saw your pic over there. I love LEGO! Am planning on buying a LEGO Eiffel Tower. Although the minifigures sound mighty tempting too! decisions decisions.
Great photo and booklist. Lego, definitely not just for kids.
Less than an hour and a half from the home of all these LEGO books is the plastic brick museum an “unofficial LEGO museum.” http://danstoymuseum.blogspot.com/ They house two LEGO world records (one complete and one in progress) and have a hole Star Wars room if that is your thang. My favorite LEGO memory is my oldest friend in 2004 constructing a LEGO scene from the Battle of Minas Tirith. So good.