Constructed in 1982, the J Erik Jonnson Central Library is the crown jewel of the Dallas Public Library system and the 9th largest library in the nation. To find this letterbox hybrid geocache, you will traverse the different floors and solve questions to ascertain a 3 digit code- this code will get you into the geocache, located someone on these expansive shelves. Make sure to take a look at our guide to the collection- there is free parking available in the underground garage and two surface-level entrances off Wood and Young streets respectively. Make sure you read all the instructions carefully. Before you begin, please be aware this cache is on city property and thus can only be accessed during hours of operation, which are-
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 9am-8pm
Wednesday: 9am-5pm
Thursday: 9am-8pm
Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-4pm
Sunday: 9am-4pm
Your journey will start outside, at the posted coordinates. There's a sign printed on glass at the top right of the far west window into the library. Match up the third word on the second line of the sign to get the correct "title" of the "book" you're looking for.
LIBRARY: Geocaching for Beginners
ONLY: The New English Dictionary
DALLAS: Guide to Geocaching
AT: Webster's Dictionary
Next, enter the building on the 1st floor, at "the breezeway". It's the expansive, open-air indoor area just beyond the official library entrance. You should see a very large piece of artwork hanging above you. On a column, facing north, is a plaque with HARRY ___TOIA written on it. He designed the fixture and when it was unveiled the mayor, R.L. Thorton, called it a "bunch of junk". Take note of the first three letters in Henry's surname to help crack the cypher below.
Next, journey up to the 8th floor. As you exit the elevators or stairs, head to your right. On the north facing wall, near the collection of maps, is a diorama featuring a historic scene. The title to the diorama is inside quotation marks and is three words, twenty letters. Use the first word of the title, then the three letters you got from Henry's plaque, as the key word to the Vigenere cipher used to decode the next set of instructions. Please do not use spaces- just 11 letters, in caps.
Azzx tnijf, lvvl ez tni Tbvit Ahttfij gpfjz. Ld yuy wymk opp plkzsusin wc dtgmjt, lvvl ez yuyj smxcb. Alsz xzf xrwtpd axi s tiidmd zf ylgsx jcmwgey, efe xyz kwzskwl tlvgn ez yuy zbw r awze-tgpd cvfihp dcaphuyiz wq l mgr ao e tcitc toxdfh Djzytnm Rwxw. Kcm wlsz hahmk jn ese eiss mk rid nrkelfh zn bsp naqtfv pjc ypej
Imie, txenfp kj bsp Bopd Qeixmwws lpgpv. dv ese kpwwekjz mly ow s gmjcg alitxaok. yje xlne hahmkn icp it xzf eioqdes reku rrhm?
Twfc nkbl txfk bz norpwdx kcm yfmhijt sw opp noji at se opp Nhgr Ybmczg qwouv. St cfp mitt zlw fpvqiezry sj txrdzd, segh kuvrdose anise- trnb ese xixfvvikp oeyo soh kj bsp obijieeb. Nczm nijf cfp aszurh kfi kcm deaovubwv ywhy tu xzf xydzo qlusj us pjcc welx, soh kj gzfr xmyix ndtw me gr ssxnjzv aikgw umkgmo Ehk Fgpo Wvutwy. Zlw ulzml otgox ao xyz gplr ow lii epumpr esm oivy.
Now that you have all three numbers, find a card catalog computer (or go online) and search for the title of the "book" in quotation marks. Head to the floor it's located on, and as you exit the elevator or stairs, head to your left. On the short shelves past the computers is our limited access reference section, which is where the physical cache can be found. Then, just use the code to open the container and make sure to sign the log! Keep the ink pad and stamp in the cache though, they aren't swag. Please, do not give away any vital clues in your log- but I do love reading, and leaving, well thought out blurbs. While this cache is wheelchair accessible, taking the stairs will certainly give you a workout- it's at least a 3 T! Feel free to ask any of the library staff questions along the way, although they might not all know about the cache specifically. I hope you enjoy your visit to the Dallas Public Library!