[Libs-Or] Puzzle Palooza- speed puzzle event
Natasha Chitow
library at cottagegrove.org
Tue Jul 1 16:56:27 PDT 2025
We're planning on hosting a puzzle race as part of our Summer Reading
program this year, so if we receive a set of 10 puzzles, we'd be happy to
participate in the exchange.
-Natasha Chitow
On Tue, Jul 1, 2025 at 4:36 PM Sarah V via Libs-Or <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>
wrote:
> Hi Amanda and all,
>
> The Beaverton City Library would be interested in hosting this program.
> I'll apply for the puzzles.
>
> Best,
> Sarah Vandehey
> Beaverton City Library
>
> On Mon, Jun 30, 2025 at 1:18 PM Amanda Edwards via Libs-Or <
> libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:
>
>> Hello, the Klamath County Library currently does a speed puzzle event
>> every quarter. We call this event “Puzzle Palooza”. It is open for adults
>> and teens, and they compete in ten groups of 3 to 4 members, to complete a
>> 500-piece puzzle. The top three groups are awarded small prizes. It is very
>> a very popular event with our patrons and takes minimal planning to
>> organize.
>>
>>
>>
>> We currently trade puzzles with a couple different Oregon libraries,
>> using the courier system or regular mail to ship the puzzles. We are hoping
>> that other libraries would be interested in joining us in the puzzle
>> palooza.
>>
>>
>>
>> To participate, the library needs to provide 10 puzzles (1 design).
>> Ravensburger will donate puzzles to libraries! Once your library has used
>> the puzzle for the event, they would then be traded among the participating
>> groups. This makes it cost-effective and allows for future puzzle
>> programming.
>>
>>
>>
>> Here is a list of questions that I have been asked by other libraries:
>>
>>
>>
>> - How do I contact Ravensburger regarding free puzzles?
>> -
>> https://app-eu.wrike.com/frontend/requestforms/index.html?token=eyJhY2NvdW50SWQiOjY5MDE2MSwidGFza0Zvcm1JZCI6OTU0NDI0fQk0ODY3NzQ2MDgzMjc1CTI4MTcyZDg5ZmNjOTc1YzQ4Njk2YzUyMjJiN2E4MGVhYTk0NzBkNDNhZDQ3MzU0NTYxZTEwNzA2ZjViZGMzYjU=
>> - Is there a master list of puzzles that have already been purchased
>> we could review?-
>> - You should be able to hover over the link in the spreadsheet and
>> see an image of the puzzles that are currently in rotation.
>> -
>> https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sp34hDfc5ijZl163Dp5jZdqJj1oXiDKVu_YGX4Vz_ac/edit?usp=sharing
>>
>> - What kind of puzzles do we use?
>> - We recommend using Ravensburg due to the quality.
>> - All 10 puzzles MUST be identical.
>> - 500-piece puzzles work perfectly for a 2-hour event.
>> - The puzzle pieces can be regular sized or the extra-large sized.
>> - How far in advance can we request a set of puzzles, and how long
>> can we keep them? (Due to staff availability, we might only be able to
>> offer this event twice a year rather than quarterly.)
>> - We do these events quarterly, but you could do them on a
>> schedule that works for you.
>> - My thoughts are that you would look at what puzzles are
>> currently available and request them directly from that library, updating
>> the spreadsheet as needed. Once you are done with the puzzle, you would
>> change the availability to YES, so that others know that they can
>> request/trade for it. You would be able to keep or trade them as needed.
>> - Could you share with us any more information about how these events
>> have gone for you – such as if and how many staff members or volunteers
>> were needed, other rules or expectations we should keep in mind or impart
>> to our participants, etc.?
>> - Simple to run!
>> - Only 1-2 people are needed to set up for the event, it just
>> involves setting out 10 tables and 4 chairs per table (table shape does not
>> matter, as long as the puzzle fits easily).
>> - We usually have a timer running for the event, so that
>> participants know how much time has passed.
>> - Advertising
>> - Aside from putting the puzzle on our website, calendar, and
>> FB page, we do no other advertising.
>> - I usually put reminders on FB a couple times to encourage
>> people to sign up.
>> - Sign-up sheet
>> - Because this is a popular event, participants need to sign up
>> in advance, having groups of 3-4 people. We put a link to a google form on
>> our website and in the FB posts for one person from each team to complete.
>> - Do you need to give prizes?
>> - We like to do small prizes for our three top winning teams, but
>> these are optional. These are awarded based on speed.
>> - Usually, I puzzle related accessories: puzzle sorters and
>> puzzle glue/tape.
>> - We also had a pile of free puzzles for people to take home.
>> We get quite a few puzzle donations from the public and let people take
>> these home.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *Amanda Edwards*
>>
>> Assistant Director
>>
>> Klamath County Library
>>
>> 126 South 3rd Street
>>
>> Klamath Falls, OR 97601
>>
>> 541-882-8894 ext 10
>>
>> aedwards at klamathlibrary.org
>>
>>
>>
>> When you're here, you're home
>>
>>
>>
>> [image: Image] [image: formal color stacked]
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
--
*To request items for curbside pickup or homebound delivery, please email
holds at cottagegrove.org <holds at cottagegrove.org>.*
Natasha Chitow / Head Librarian
she / her
Cottage Grove Public Library
library at cottagegrove.org
541 767-4146
cottagegroveor.gov/library
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