Piece by Piece: Discover the Beaches Library Puzzle Swap

Next time you visit the Beaches Branch Library, you might want to bring a puzzle with you! There’s a puzzle swap shelf where you can trade your gently used puzzle for a new (to you) puzzle.

You’ll find it against the left wall, just past the checkout desk area. The puzzle selection is constantly changing, so check back if you don’t find something to take home on the first try.

Trade Your Old Puzzle for a New One

The puzzle swap is operated on an honor basis, so you do not need to check in with anyone to leave or take a puzzle. You’ll find puzzles of all types and sizes, for all ages.

When leaving a puzzle, please be sure all the pieces are inside and tape your box shut so the pieces don’t fall out. Some people put their pieces in a plastic baggie inside for extra protection.

If you do take a puzzle, send a picture to us through our Facebook page, or post and tag us so we can share it! https://www.facebook.com/fobbl/

The Benefits of Puzzles

Did you know that puzzles have brain-boosting, stress-busting, and mood-lifting benefits? Here are some standout perks of doing puzzles:

1. Mental Exercise
Puzzling works both sides of your brain. The left handles logic and sequence, while the right side jumps in with creativity and intuition. Putting a puzzle together lights up your entire brain, improving problem-solving skills and cognitive function.

2. Improved Memory
Regular puzzle-solving helps enhance short-term memory by strengthening the connections between brain cells. Remembering shapes, colors, and where pieces go gives your memory a low-stress workout.

3. Stress Relief
Focusing on a puzzle can bring you into a state of calm, similar to meditation. It encourages mindfulness and gives your brain a break from screens and stressors.

4. Boosts Mood and Patience
Every time you snap a piece into place, your brain gets a tiny hit of dopamine—the “feel-good” chemical. Puzzles teach patience and reward persistence, making them great for personal growth.

5. Enhances Visual-Spatial Reasoning
Working out how pieces fit together improves your ability to visualize and rotate objects mentally. That’s useful not just for puzzles, but also in everyday tasks like packing, driving, or navigating spaces.

6. Strengthens Relationships
Doing puzzles with friends or family promotes teamwork, communication, and shared satisfaction. It’s a screen-free bonding activity with built-in collaboration.

7. Supports Healthy Aging
Studies show that keeping your brain active with mentally stimulating activities—like puzzles—may help delay cognitive decline and lower the risk of dementia.

Puzzling isn’t just a pastime—it’s a brain booster, a stress reliever, and a gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment.

And at the Beaches Library Swap, it’s also a shared experience. With every swap, you’re not just taking home a new puzzle; you’re connecting with your community in a quiet, meaningful way.

So next time you visit the library, wander over to the puzzle shelf. Who knows? The perfect picture might be waiting—piece by piece—for you.