If it feels like everyone around you has suddenly started talking about Mah Jong, you’re not imagining things. The tiles, strategy, chatter, and community gathering are everywhere right now. Lucky for us, the Rachel Kohl Community Library is fully riding this wave, and they’ve got a spot for you at the table.

Mah Jong table at Rachel Kohl Community Library program — Mah Jong table at Rachel Kohl Community Library weekly game session

What is Mah Jong?

Mah Jong (also spelled Mahjong) is a tile-based game that originated in China in the 19th century. By the early 20th century, the game landed in the United States, where it was wildly popular in the 1920s. The game typically involves four players, 144 tiles, a whole lot of strategy, pattern recognition, and just enough luck to keep things interesting.

Why is everyone suddenly obsessed?

I haven’t played Mah Jong yet, but I hear it’s really fun! A combination of pandemic-era board game revivals, social media, and a growing cultural appreciation for the game has sent interest in Mah Jong soaring. It’s long been a fixture of Chinese communities.

Younger generations are discovering it. Lifelong players are finding new communities. It seems that hanging around a Mah Jong table is a great way to spend time with friends, new and old, and that it “has always been a way to find community.“

It’s a little loud and lots of fun. It’s mentally engaging without being intimidating (once you get the hang of it). And it scales beautifully from casual and breezy to deeply strategic, depending on who you’re sitting across from.

At a time when people everywhere are craving human connection and in-person meet-ups, Mah Jong is meeting that moment perfectly. 🀄

Getting in on the action at Rachel Kohl

Rachel Kohl Community Library, a gem of a community hub right here in our backyard, has been quietly building quite the Mah Jong scene.

There’s already an established Mah Jong Club running every Tuesday at 1 PM. It’s so popular that it’s currently full at 16 players. Yes, full. That’s some peak Mah Jong energy.

To meet demand, the library has added another Mah Jong meet-up time. Beginner lessons are offered on Mondays at 1 PM, giving new players a welcoming, low-pressure space to learn the tiles, the terminology, and the glorious satisfaction of calling “Mah Jong!” These beginner sessions are designed to grow into their own clubs.

Check the Rachel Kohl program calendar for current availability and to sign up. Spots go fast; these tiles are hot! 🔥

A library for everyone (really, everyone)

If you haven’t wandered into the Rachel Kohl community library lately, you might be surprised by how much is happening there. Beyond Mah Jong, the library is a genuine hub of activity for the whole community. The program schedule continues to grow, adding story times and programs for the littlest readers, teen events, and a variety of clubs, classes, and workshops for adults.

One more thing…

Libraries like Rachel Kohl run on more than good intentions and a stellar tile collection. They depend on community support to keep programs like these free and accessible for everyone. If Rachel Kohl has enriched your life — whether through a book, a program, a quiet afternoon of reading, or a Tuesday Mah Jong win — consider showing a little love back if you’re able. Donations and community support make a real difference in keeping these programs vibrant and growing.

donate to the library

A library that teaches you to play Mah Jong and lends you books? That’s a community treasure worth protecting. 🏛️