The Stanislaus County Library is hoping to build up its children’s programs with the help of some Legos.

The library is competing in the "Read! Build! Play!" project sponsored by LEGO DUPLO and the Association of Library Services to Children. The library that receives the most votes during the contest period will win $5,000 for books and supplies. The top 200 libraries receive a special LEGO DUPLO Read! Build! Play! early literacy programming toolkit that combines preschool books with a collection of DUPLO bricks.

“The Stanislaus County Library system urges members of the community to nominate any Stanislaus County Library branch. Please help us win this contest by voting for your favorite library,” said Lauren Hall, the community outreach coordinator for the library.

People can cast their vote for any of Stanislaus County’s library branches at http://readbuildplay.com/

As of Thursday, the Modesto branch had garnered 262 votes, placing it at 95th. The only other Stanislaus County library to place in the top 200 is the Waterford branch with 100 votes, earning it the 167th spot on the list so far. The Mount Airy Public Library in North Carolina is in the lead with more than 45,000 votes so far.

The ALSC utilizes the services and expertise of more than 4,000 librarians, literature experts, publishers, and faculty members to develop new programming for children that promotes literacy and continued learning.