Father-son team bonds over Glen Ellyn library LEGO creation

Dave Xandegar and his 9-year-old son, John, have a secret: their LEGO creations sometimes contain SNOT.

While this might sound disgusting, in the LEGO world, SNOT is an often-used technique in which you build a model with bricks that have the "studs not on top." This allows for smoother edges and more realistic-looking products. It's a technique the father and son have used since they began making models 15 months ago.

The elder Xandegar says the experience has given the Lindenhurst residents a chance to bond more closely than before.

"We went in together," he said. "We went into it both kind of innocent with the ability to feed off of each other."

To date, the duo has built more than 125 models, including a 3-foot-tall Buzz Aldrin that was displayed at NASA.

Last month, the Xandegars unveiled their newest creation: a model of the Glen Ellyn Public Library built from LEGO blocks donated by community members. The Xandegars do not earn a profit from their work, and Dave Xandegar said their motivation comes from the time spent together and children's reactions to their creations.

"When you see the kids go by at a show like Brickworld (an annual LEGO convention in Wheeling), you see literally hundreds of little faces pass by," Xandegar said. "That's the real reward."

The library model is not the first Glen Ellyn creation for the father-son team. One of the first large-scale models they built was a re-creation of the entrance to the Glen Art Theatre.

It was a way to get their foot in the door, Xandegar said. After that creation, library officials asked them if they would work on a piece for the library.

After about 85 hours of work, the Xandegars were ready to unveil their model in October. It now sits in the library's Youth Services area and already has increased traffic in the section, library officials said.

"We're getting patrons into the youth department we don't typically see," said Youth Services Assistant Director Melissa Hilt. "People of all ages have an interest in this."

The piece has become somewhat of a conversation piece. As patrons walk by, some talk about their past with LEGOs, others consider which local buildings might make good subjects.

Hilt said the endless hours spent on it made it a welcome addition to the library.

"Who doesn't want to see their library replicated?" said Youth Services Assistant Director Melissa Hilt. "It showed a lot of dedication and we appreciated it. Everybody's very pleased."