KANSAS CITY, Mo. — You know the tension during post-season baseball is high when libraries start battling it out and using book spine poetry to spell out how they really feel.
The library wars on Twitter continued Wednesday as the Kansas City Public Library used books to create poetry about the Royals taking the crown.
“Yeah, I have a baseball bat, a real one, at home,” six-year-old Ta’Karie Simmons says.
First and second graders from Hope Leadership Academy are using their love of baseball and the Royals to practice their own version of book spine poetry, since it`s been a big hit on social media during the post season.
“Were putting books, the spine, together and making a poem,” seven-year-old Tionna McClunie says.
“I think it makes them excited to see the connection between sports and what`s going on in the city and the library,” says Elena McVicar, a librarian with the Kansas City Public Library.
McVicar says the reaction from local students at every age has been great.
“They`re like oh, the library can really think of some witty puns,” McVicar adds.
The Kansas City Public Library started the friendly competition last year with the San Francisco Public Library, and they’ve decided to do it again.
“It was just a friendly banter, this time around, we just took it to the next level,” says Liesl Christman, the Social Media Manager at the Kansas City Public Library.
Christman took to Twitter with pictures of their book spine poetry while the Royals were playing the Toronto Blue Jays.
“We had gotten some really positive feedback from everybody that was watching it, and actually both Queens Library and New York Public Library started commenting before Game 6. So we decided we have to keep going,” adds Christman.
The competition took off, and they were amazed by the response. Many people have been sending in their own suggestions, and the library’s following on social media has grown tremendously.
“This is all in good fun, definitely no ill-will from any side, it`s all just about our love of baseball and our love of libraries,” Christman says.
To send your ideas or participate in the fun just tweet @KClibrary.
.@nypl "Nice… Try"? Here, fixed that for you. #TakeTheCrown pic.twitter.com/fIBpreuhY2
— KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 28, 2015
We're ready for Game 1 of the #WorldSeries! Go @Royals #TaketheCrown – @nypl @QueensLibrary pic.twitter.com/3LbyWYZrth
— KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 27, 2015
Gearing up for Game 2! #ParisOfThePlains #TakeTheCrown @nypl @QueensLibrary pic.twitter.com/surKrzHqrw
— KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 28, 2015