Puzzle for a Purpose

Building Community Piece by Piece

The only puzzle competition where solving puzzles supports Dubuque’s library!

Join us on Saturday, January 31, 2026 for the inaugural Puzzle for a Purpose event. Hosted by the Carnegie-Stout Library Foundation, this fast-paced puzzle competition features teams of four who compete against each other to see who can put together their puzzle in the least amount of time. Over $1000 in prizes to be awarded to the fastest teams!

 Event Details:

• Competition features 500-piece identical puzzles
• Teams of no more than 4 players (Team Captain must be age 16 or older)
• Registration is required: $80/Team
• Choice of morning or afternoon time slot
• 2-Hour timed competition
• Prizes for fastest finishers
• All proceeds support the Carnegie-Stout Public Library Foundation

Whether you're a seasoned puzzler or just in it for fun, this adult-centered event is a great way to support the library and connect with fellow puzzle lovers in Dubuque. Plus, every piece you place helps support the Carnegie-Stout Library Foundation and its mission to keep Dubuque inspired, entertained, and connected.

Puzzle Exchange - Finished a puzzle? Give it a new home! Stop by the Puzzle Exchange table during the event to swap your completed jigsaw puzzles for a new challenge. Just bring a puzzle (with all the pieces in the original box) and swap it for one that's new to you. Suggested donation - $5

Think you and your crew have what it takes to snap together 500 pieces faster than anyone else in Dubuque?