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Neighbors | Zack Shively .Boardman library hosted the Friends of the PLYMC Puzzle Swap on Sept. 13. Twenty people showed up to take puzzles that had been given to the program. All puzzles left over go to the Friends Bookstore located at the Poland library.
by ZACK SHIVELY
Boardman library hosted the Friends of PLYMC’s Puzzle Swap on Sept. 13 in the library’s large meeting room.
Development Director Deborah Liptak coordinated the event with volunteer Becky Showman. They placed the puzzles on two tables at different ends of the room. They ask those at each event to give as many as they will take. For example, they can drop six and take six puzzles.
“If you wouldn’t want it in your house, don’t bring it here,“ Liptak said. This rule ensured that the puzzles at the swap were not in poor condition. She also opened the doors for everyone at once and tried to spread the puzzles out so everyone could have a chance to grab a puzzle they would want.
Since the Friends of PLYMC sponsor the event, the puzzles no one takes go to the Friends Library located at the Poland library. The Friends put the puzzles for sale and the proceeds go toward children’s programs at the PLYMC locations.
The now-popular event began when a patron asked the Friends why they do not offer such an event. The Friends have now offered the swap monthly for three years.
They host the swap at the Boardman library because its central location gives them the best chance for a big crowd. September’s event had 20 participants, but they have had up to 65 people come for the swap.
The Friends of PLYMC host many other events as well, including a book sale on Oct. 7 at Canfield library and showcase for local authors on Dec. 7. They scheduled their next puzzle swap for Oct. 11.