Rosalind Glew has opened Port Macquarie’s first Puzzle Library

WHEN Rosalind Glew moved to Port Macquarie from Canberra in January this year, she dreamed of bringing a hometown favourite with her.

“In my suburb [in Canberra] there was a puzzle library that I used to frequent a lot,” she told News Of The Area.

“I had in mind that once I was settled here in Port that I would start my own.”

Memories of challenging her brain on rainy days and wanting to help create a circular community for puzzlers have seen Rosalind’s dream brought to life in the form of Port Macquarie’s very first Puzzle Library.

“For me and I’m sure many others, puzzles are a single use item; once I have done it, I want to swap it for one I haven’t done, so a little library makes a lot of sense and can save money.”

Sourcing the right materials and perfect place for her puzzle library was paramount to bringing this community connector to life, so Rosalind made good use of the people and resources around her.

“I had my eye out for a suitable container to use for the library [and was] looking at Marketplace and buy, swap and sell sites.

“I [then] noticed someone up the street had put a Ute toolbox with legs already attached to it on the kerb with a ‘free’ sign on it.

“After work, the box was still there, so my husband and I walked it home and put it out the front of our place.

“We fixed up a few holes to make sure it was waterproof, and got out some sharpies to decorate the box .”

Despite claiming not to be artistic, and having the decorations wash away in the rain, Rosalind’s community puzzle box still has a clear “Puzzle Library” label on it telling the community that it is open to enjoy.

“I popped a couple of puzzles that I had into the box and picked up a couple more from an op shop.

“I also put up a message on the Port Macquarie Hastings Facebook page.

“By the first weekend it was just about empty, so I went back to the op shop for a couple more puzzles and I also had some people off the Facebook page donate puzzles.”

Starting with just seven jigsaw puzzles of mostly 1000 pieces, the box is now proudly full.

There are kids puzzles containing 100 pieces or less, along with bigger 500, 1000 and more piece masterpieces.

Rosalind’s Puzzle Library is now ready and waiting for all puzzlers alike to visit at 23 Ashdown Drive, Port Macquarie.

There are few rules associated with its use.

1) If you take a puzzle, you must leave one behind in its place, or bring it back when you’re done.

2) If you find that a piece is missing, let the next person know by writing it down on the box.

3) All good condition donations are welcome.

All in the name of happy puzzling!

By Rikki WALLER