The Friends of the Granby Public Libraries’ puzzle sale was a great success, raising more than $1,200 during the two-hour event held at the library in November. This popular sale draws a lined-up crowd before the library even opens. There was a bustling rush as the doors opened, with eager participants searching for that perfect puzzle. With nearly 600 puzzles to choose from, prices ranged from $1 to $5, offering something for everyone. The Friends thank everyone that donated puzzles, as well as those coming out for the sale.
The Friends would like to recognize Karen Wilbur for her significant contributions to this yearly Friends fundraiser. Thanks to Wilbur’s extensive involvement with puzzles at the library, staff affectionately refer to her as the Puzzle Queen. Wilbur has been working part-time at both of Granby’s libraries (Cossitt and the main branch) for 25 years! If you’ve been to the library, chances are you’ve seen Wilbur, as she started as an assistant and later became a lead with supervisory and processing duties.
Wilbur’s love of puzzles began when Bobbie Sullivan inspired her to get involved in the Friends’ annual puzzle sale at Cossitt. She credits Sullivan for teaching her sorting skills and showing her what to look for. She now oversees the ever-evolving puzzle section at the library, where patrons can check out puzzles with their library cards. It’s worth noting that the library’s entire puzzle collection comes from donations. Many patrons donate puzzles to the Friends throughout the year and Wilbur carefully examines each one, deciding whether to add it to the library’s circulation or contribute it to the Friends’ book sale table. For the actual Friends’ puzzle sale Wilbur carefully sorts all the puzzles that are generously donated by fellow puzzle enthusiasts.
Wilbur became a serious puzzler after retiring from teaching in 2010. She thoroughly enjoys listening to audiobooks while tackling a variety of unique and challenging puzzles. Maybe you will see Karen Wilbur at the Drummer’s Puzzle Slam on Feb. 1.