500 Free Puzzle Libraries Now Span 50 States and Eight Countries

Community-based sharing models have expanded from books to board games, and now to jigsaw puzzles. As of October 2026, a nationwide map hosted by The Puzzle Republic lists more than 500 free puzzle libraries. These locations operate in all 50 U.S. states and eight other countries.

The network was initiated by Jessica and Luke Cheney, a couple who met in Los Angeles and moved to Denver earlier this year. Jessica works as an illustrator, and Luke is a freelance filmmaker. Their first project, the Puzzle Palace, opened in January 2020 in La Crescenta, California. It was built using a thrifted Barbie hotel placed on the lawn of Jessica’s parents.

The timing of the first library’s launch coincided with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents used a journal inside the structure to communicate during lockdowns. Luke Cheney notes that neighbors exchanged puzzle recommendations and personal notes through the guest book. The success of this initial location led the couple to open four additional libraries in the Los Angeles area over the following years.

The Cheneys formalized their efforts by founding The Puzzle Republic. The company sells setup kits and provides maintenance resources to aspiring “piecekeepers.” They credit the majority of the current global network to their original concept. According to the couple, approximately 80 to 90 percent of the 500 libraries were directly inspired by their work.

The Cheneys argue that puzzle libraries serve a social function beyond providing entertainment. They describe the activity as a response to digital saturation and a desire for tangible connection. Jessica Cheney states that puzzles allow people to disconnect from devices and remain present. Luke Cheney adds that residents often form more connections in the first month after a library installation than in the previous five to ten years of living in the area.

The couple recently opened their newest location, The Colorado Connection, at 3926 Yates St. in Denver’s Tennyson-Berkeley neighborhood. This library features a Colorado theme and is one of twelve puzzle libraries currently operating in the Denver metro area. The Cheneys chose Denver after several months of searching for a community that valued neighborly interaction.

Luke Cheney emphasizes the importance of the local demographic. He says the couple wanted a town with active residents who care about one another. He notes that the Tennyson-Berkeley neighborhood has accepted them quickly since the library opened earlier this month. The new location allows residents to take a puzzle, solve it at home, and return it for the next person.

The operation relies on a simple exchange model. Users take a puzzle from the outdoor box and leave it when finished. The Cheneys advise new library owners to secure puzzle boxes with rubber bands to prevent pieces from being lost. The network continues to expand through these small-scale, neighborhood-focused installations.

The Puzzle Republic maintains the online map that tracks these locations. The data shows a dense concentration of libraries in urban and suburban areas across the United States. The eight international locations indicate that the model has crossed geographic boundaries. The Cheneys continue to monitor the growth of the network as they settle into their new home in Colorado.