Do you have a pile of jigsaw puzzles at home that you know inside out? Then it’s time for some fresh stock at our jigsaw puzzle swap exchange! 🧩
When?
Between 15 June 2026 and 28 June 2026
Where?
On the action shelf – right behind the pick-up shelf
How does it work?
Simply bring along your well-preserved jigsaw puzzles – whether they have 500 or 3,000 pieces, feature landscapes, animals or art. Once here, you can browse through the puzzles on display, swap yours for others and discover new favourite designs.
At the same time, you’ll save money and give your old jigsaw puzzles a second chance. After the event, the puzzles will be added to the library’s collection.
History of the jigsaw puzzle
Puzzles have been with us for over 250 years and have lost none of their appeal to this day. The first puzzle was invented around 1760 by the British cartographer John Spilsbury. He glued maps onto pieces of wood and sawed them apart along national borders – as a learning aid for children. These so-called ‘dissected maps’ are regarded as the precursors to today’s jigsaw puzzles.
Over the course of the 19th century, jigsaw puzzles became increasingly popular, initially as an educational tool and later also as entertainment for adults. With industrialisation, they became cheaper and accessible to a wider population. Puzzles developed into a mass phenomenon, particularly in the 20th century: new designs, varying levels of difficulty and the introduction of cardboard instead of wood made them more diverse than ever.
Today, puzzles are not just a pastime, but also a way to relax, spend time together or exercise the brain.
We look forward to seeing you and many exciting puzzle designs!