The Mount Airy Public Library is putting out a call for patrons to vote often in the next few weeks to qualify the facility for first-place prize in the Lego duplo Read! Build! Play! project.

Mount Airy Public Library assistant Angela Llewellyn was made aware of the project by Cedar Ridge Elementary School librarian Robin Boulding and the two promptly entered their nominations for Mount Airy.

“The hometown library with the most nominations will receive a $5,000 first prize for books and supplies for their library,” explained Llewellyn. “If we could get within the top 200, we would receive a Read! Build! Play! toolkit with Duplo bricks that accompany the pre-school level reading books.”

The project is being staged in association with the Association for Library Services to Children. Llewellyn said that each person can nominate the library once daily. The deadline for voting ends Oct. 1.

ALSC is dedicated to constantly improving of Library Service for children. The group generates new programming for national literacy campaigns. Read! Build! Play! encourages reading to develop literacy skills. Reading also improves self-esteem, listening skills, memory and sparks imagination and creativity.

Children and parents use the blocks to build along with the storyline. It is believed this improves interactions with story-time. The play component is used to draw children in for richer learning experiences at the library.

“Right now we are just getting started,” added Llewellyn. She said nominations can be made on the lego website, readbuildplay.com, or by the links on the library’s webpage.

“I’m encouraging everyone to just vote often,” said Llewellyn. “We have through Oct. 1. Join our library webpage to keep up with projects and events. Already there is a library in Rochester, Mich., with 6,743 nominations!”

The tool kits and the money would support the library’s ongoing pre-school story times. Story times for children that are 2 years are held on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m., and at 10:30 a.m. for children who are 3-years-old. Story time is held on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. for those 4 to 5 years of age.