Puzzles and games can keep the mind active and sharp. Puzzles and games can provide a healthy break from the screens of electronic devices. Puzzles and games have the power to bring loved ones together.

Puzzles and games also exemplify everything that the Eastern Lancaster County (ELANCO) Library stands for.

"Being Friends of ELANCO Library, our main objective is to raise funds for the library," said Sue Newswanger, treasurer of the library's support group. "We were thinking about the dark, cold winter months and the time that young people spend on devices. We were thinking of fun indoor activities, which kind of works with the mission of the library. We're always trying to have family activities. It's a way for people to get ready for winter."

The Friends of ELANCO Library will host its inaugural puzzle and game sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, in the second-floor activity room of the Eastern Lancaster County Library, 11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland. The event is free to attend, and all proceeds from the sale will benefit the ELANCO Library.

"We're hoping for the same vibe as our book sales," said Newswanger. "It's usually a very pleasant atmosphere at our book sales. It's very generally a nice event, and there are a lot of conversations back and forth. It will be a very community-oriented event. You might run into your neighbors or your friends there. But it's something new for us; we don't know how it's going to go. We're hoping it's going to go well."

The sale will feature more than 300 reasonably priced, new and gently used puzzles and games arranged and displayed on tables. The Friends of ELANCO Library will also make a small collection of books available for purchase.

"Of course, puzzles and games can keep the mind sharp, but I think what's more important is the social aspect of them," said Newswanger. "What we're going for is family fun. I think of it as more of a chance for social interaction for families and friends. It's not like it used to be; that's a fact. Growing up, my siblings and I would sit on the floor and play games."

All of the games and puzzles that will be available for purchase were donated.

"In the spring, we started advertising the sale as a way to clean out your closets," said Newswanger. "We started accepting them in April, and we've been collecting them all through the summer months."

The Friends of ELANCO Library are hoping to make as much as $500 for the library.

"Every single cent we make goes back to the library to cover general expenses," said Newswanger. "We depend on our local municipalities for funding for the library."

Financially is just one of the ways that the seven-member Friends of ELANCO Library supports its beneficiary.

"We always make a fairly decent donation to the library at the end of the year," said Newswanger. "We also like to help with special events or when a special need arises. The board knows they can come to us for help. They depend on every cent we give them, and we try to get people to the library and make them aware of the library's needs through our events. Hopefully, people are becoming regular users and supporters."

The Friends of ELANCO Library will also host its annual holiday book sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, in the library's second-floor activity room. The group will conduct another book sale in the spring.

"Good things happen at your local library, so I think people should stop in and visit," said Newswanger. "It's a great place, and it's not all about books. My love of the library stems from the fact that no matter who you are, where you're from or how much money you have, it doesn't matter; it's free. There aren't many places where you can walk in free and walk out with an armful of books. There's no better bargain around."

For additional information, go to https://elancolibrary.org.