[Libs-Or] Puzzle Palooza- speed puzzle event

[KRIST OBRIST]

The Monmouth Public Library has ordered puzzles and will participate when
they are received. Sounds like a fun program!

Krist

___________________________
Krist Obrist, Library Director
Monmouth Public Library
168 Ecols St. S., Monmouth, OR 97361
503-751-0193 || Facebook: MonmouthPublicLibrary
kobrist at ci.monmouth.or.us





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]
>
>
>
>
>
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