The library has a large collection of over 300 jigsaw puzzles.  They check out just like books for two weeks; we are restricting puzzle checkouts to one at a time because of the possibility of mixing up different puzzle pieces.  The collection is designed for adults since most of the puzzles are over 1,000 pieces although we do have some floor puzzles for children.

 

The collection circulates all year long.  The puzzles range from 300 pieces all the way up to 3,000.  Some are easy, and others will be challenging.  The companies range from Ravensburger to Eurographics to Clementoni to Spingbok.

 

We have recently moved the puzzles out of the conference room onto shelving in the center of the library.  We have also listened to users and arranged them by size.  So, those who are looking for a challenge can find all the 1000-piece puzzles together and for those who just want an afternoon’s entertainment, there are stacks of 300, large piece puzzles.

 

We add new puzzles regularly; just recently we added a big stack of puzzles ranging from scenic to animals.  The newest offerings include “Fall Harvest,” “Chickadees,” Black Bear,” “Horse Pond” and “Family Tree.”   There is also the “Cat Library,” and “Waterfall Dragons.”  And dog lovers will not want to miss “Laundry Day” with its beautiful spaniel buried among the quilts.    

 

Among the library’s collection, there are fine art reproduction puzzles including Monet’s “Woman with Umbrella,” Edgar Degas’ “Ballerina,” Renoir’s “The Luncheon,” Van Gogh’s “Wheat Field and Mountains,” and M. C. Escher’s “Up and Down.”

 

We also have several puzzles designed to help those with dementia and Alzheimer’s.  They have 35 pieces and encourage active minds.  The titles are: “Winter Snow,” Spring Stream,” “Seaside Nostalgia,” and “Seaview.”

 

There are puzzles depicting “Star Trek: The Original Cast,” “Dinosaurs,” “Lord of the Rings,” “Red Rose,” “Quilting Bees,” “Durango Express,” or “White Tiger Face.”  Educational puzzles range from “Famous Writers” to “Flags of the World” to “History of Aviation,” to “Vintage Fire Engines.”  We also have some 3D puzzles such as “Tower Bridge,” “Saint Peter’s Basilica,” “Big Ben” and “Victorian House.”  

 

Although the most popular time of year for puzzles is winter, we have discovered that puzzle fans like to challenge themselves no matter the season.  So, next time you are in the library be sure to walk down the hallway and admire all the colorful puzzles.