Provided herein are compositions, systems, methods, and kits for joining together the ends of one or more polynucleotides using at least one pair of blocking oligonucleotide adaptors. Blocking oligonucleotide adaptors can comprise a double-stranded oligonucleotide adaptor (duplex) having an overhang cohesive portion that anneals with a blocking oligonucleotide which can be a separate single-stranded oligonucleotide. Also provided herein are compositions generated using the blocking oligonucleotide adapters, including circularized polynucleotides, that may be manipulated, for example, through nick translation, to yield a linear mate pair construct.