[Libs-Or] Puzzle Palooza- speed puzzle event

Tue Jul 1 16:59:57 PDT 2025

We usually do 1000 piece for a 2 hour event. (We are a big hard core about puzzles 😊) But would consider switching to join in this great bunch of sharing.

Sami

Sami Pierson
Director
Coos Bay Public Library
525 Anderson Ave.
Coos Bay, OR 97420
541-269-1101 x3601
[cid:image001.png at 01DBEAA9.9018D240]

From: Libs-Or <libs-or-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> On Behalf Of Natasha Chitow via Libs-Or
Sent: Tuesday, July 1, 2025 4:56 PM
To: Sarah V <crimson.critter at gmail.com>
Cc: Library Holds <holds at cottagegrove.org>; libs-or at omls.oregon.gov
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] Puzzle Palooza- speed puzzle event

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<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto:aedwards at klamathlibrary.org>

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she / her
Cottage Grove Public Library
library at cottagegrove.org<mailto:library at cottagegrove.org>
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