Libraries Take Part in World Series–Themed Twitter “Battle”

Kansas City, New York libraries use “book spine poetry” for playful ribbing

By Alison Marcotte | October 30, 2015

New York Public Library posted this image on Twitter on October 29 to signal comeback hopes for the New York Mets in the World Series. The friendly social media exchange among several New York and Kansas City libraries has caught the attention of several mainstream media outlets.

When the Kansas City Royals beat the Toronto Blue Jays 14–2 in Game 2 of Major League Baseball’s American League Championship Series, the Kansas City (Mo.) Public Library (KCPL) staff took the opportunity to do some friendly ribbing by using “book spine poetry.” The library tweeted to Toronto Public Library a picture of three stacked books, which all together read: “Canada.” “Sorry You Lost.” “What Bluebirds Do” (referring to Toronto’s mascot, the blue jay).

Some #bookspinepoetry for our friends @BlueJays & @torontolibrary #TaketheCrown #GoRoyals #ALCS pic.twitter.com/Zj5ZvhFljv

— KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 20, 2015

Toronto Public Library responded, saying, “Warning.” “Kansas City.” “It Ain’t Over till It’s Over.”

Well played @KCLibrary but we’ve got a way with words too. ‘Til tomorrow! @BlueJays #ComeTOgether #GoJaysGo pic.twitter.com/qED5PFp95t — TorontoPublicLibrary (@torontolibrary) October 21, 2015

The humorous exchanges continued, gaining the attention of numerous news organizations, including NPR, The Huffington Post, and BuzzFeed. Liesl Christman, KCPL’s social media manager, has been the brain behind the Twitter “battle,” and the library’s Twitter account has gained at least 2,000 more followers since the battle began on October 20.

THAT’S A WIN! Hello, World Series!! Good game @torontolibrary! It’s been amazing. #TakeTheCrown pic.twitter.com/kS1DI749JW

— KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 24, 2015

With the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals now facing off in the World Series, the Twitter library/baseball feud has continued, now featuring New York Public Library (NYPL), Queens (N.Y.) Library, Mid-Continent Public Library in Kansas City, Missouri, and LaGrange Library in Poughkeepsie, New York, among others. (Mid-Continent Library Director Steven Potter and NYPL President Tony Marx have also made a wager for bragging rights.)

Well look what we found on the shelf… @QueensLibrary @nypl #TakeTheCrown #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/dNIB36LZkw — KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 27, 2015

Oh, it’s on now, @KCLibrary! #RoyalPain #WorldSeries #YaGottaBelieve #LGM pic.twitter.com/kXs9pGmvwJ

— Queens Library (@QueensLibrary) October 27, 2015

Way to start! Go Royals! #TakeTheCown #ForeverRoyal @nypl @QueensLibrary @SportsRadio810 @kmbc pic.twitter.com/gI8Vt7H3S6 — MidContinent Library (@MCPLMO) October 28, 2015

Refueling with @Mets bagels today. Friday, @KCLibrary @Royals are on OUR turf. #LGM #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/X55qdZY2me

— NY Public Library (@nypl) October 29, 2015

@nypl @QueensLibrary @KCLibrary @Mets @Royals FRIDAY! #WorldSeries #metsvsroyals #bookpoetry #libraries pic.twitter.com/nJjp7lJnoF

— LaGrange Library (@LaGLibrary) October 29, 2015

ALISON MARCOTTE is an editorial intern for American Libraries.

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