Westerly Sun Column | Library Hosts Thrilling Puzzle Showdown

Just over a week ago, the library hosted our first Jigsaw Puzzle Competition, an event in which teams of four battled to see who could complete a 500-piece puzzle the fastest. It was a thrilling race, full of suspense, excitement, and the perfect mix of rivalry and sportsmanship. It ended in a photo finish, with the victorious team completing theirs in one hour and two minutes. In all seriousness, I was surprised at how fun it was, and can’t wait to plan another one this fall.

If you’re a fan of jigsaw puzzles and haven’t been up to the 2nd floor of the library, this is your cue to do so! We have a hugely popular Puzzle Corner, a constantly changing collection of puzzles donated by our generous puzzle-loving patrons. No checkout is needed, and you don’t need to drop anything off in order to take one home – the shelves are always overflowing, so you can feel free to borrow as many as you can carry.

The library can also be a great place to get together with friends and family for a planned or impromptu game night. There are jigsaw puzzles available for all ages and abilities, and plenty of large tables with chairs where you are welcome to set up and put one together. Being at the library, there is the added bonus of not having curious cats jumping on your puzzle, or enthusiastic dog tails knocking the pieces to the floor. If puzzles aren’t your thing, there are also crowd-pleasing games like Uno and Sorry which can be checked out or played here, not to mention the amazing game cupboard in our Teen Space, full of popular games to help you pass the time.

I’m a fan of games and puzzles, but I prefer to enjoy them as a solo-sport – give me a cup of coffee and the New York Times crossword, or the latest Wordle, and I’m happy! Now that the library offers access to the New York Times online, I can do all of their puzzles (plus older, archived puzzles) without paying for a subscription. The all-access code, which is available through our website at www.westerlylibrary.com/databases, only lasts for 24 hours, but I click on the link for a new code every morning and I’m ready to go! Wordle-lovers can also check out the Wordle Board Game from our Library of Things to really get their fill.

If none of these are appealing, you know that you can always find something interesting to read at the library! We have a huge collection of puzzles books AND books about puzzles, covering everything from Sudoku to logic games designed to help keep your brain sharp. “The Puzzler: One Man’s Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, From Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life” by A. J. Jacobs is one such title that covers a bit of everything. Stop by and start puzzling!

by Cassie Skobrak, Adult Services Librarian