The Oxford Lane Library will host a LEGO contest this month for children ages 11 and under. 

The LEGO Group was founded in 1932. The company got its name from the Danish words “leg godt,” which means “play well.” LEGO bricks got its start in 1949 with the creation of the Automatic Binding Brick.

The contest at the library will consist of two age groups, 5 and under as well as ages 6 through 11. In each category, library patrons will vote for their favorite creations, choosing first and second place winners. The winners will respectively receive a $50 and $25 gift card to any LEGO shop.

To register, participants can sign up on the library’s website or call the library at (513) 523-7531 ext. 1218. Registration closes Jan. 11 for the 5 and under group, and on Jan. 18 for the ages 6  through 11 category.

The builder’s submission must be turned in during regular library hours. For the younger age group, creations will be accepted between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11 and Sunday, Jan. 12 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. The older age group may turn in their submissions during the same hours the following weekend, Jan. 18 and Jan. 19. 

If needed, participants may use the library’s supply of LEGOs for their creation if they attend the LEGO contest kickoff event from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 11. Otherwise, contestants must use their own blocks which can include LEGO, Duplo, Mega Bloks, Nanoblocks or other variations of the plastic bricks.

Submissions can be team projects, however, it must be placed in the category of the oldest team member and each team can only have one entry. If chosen as a winner, the team will be eligible for one gift card. 

The contest has no theme, but all submissions must be original works. Therefore, any submissions that follow a kit or are copied from another work will be disqualified. 

To be considered, entries must be no larger than 9 inches deep, 11 inches wide and 15 inches tall. They must also have a descriptive title. 

Voting will take place at the library for a week for each age group. The 5 and under group voting will take place between Jan. 13 and Jan. 19. The age 6 through 11 group will be voted on from Jan. 20 to Jan. 26. 

Winners will be announced Jan. 21 for the younger group and Jan. 28 for the older group. Participants may pick up their creations on their respective dates.