Libraries Shine at the H.S. Battle of the Books

Aug 29, 2018

Back Row: Patrick Lewis, Ezra Hubbard (volunteer), Ezekiel Arubuike, Harry Thorne (coach), Front Row: Will Dambra, Manny Arubuike, Marisa Mourgues, Angelina Finateri, Maggie McGeary, Michelle Rivas (coach) pose for photo. Photo: Phoebe Temple

STONE RIDGE – Teens from 13 libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System’s five counties (Putnam, Dutchess, Columbia, Ulster and Greene) converged at SUNY Ulster on August 18th to compete in the 3rd Annual Mid-Hudson Library System High School Battle of the Books.

The Battle of the Books or BOB is nationally recognized literature contest in which teens answer trivia questions based on pre-selected books. Individual library teams worked all summer with their coaches to prepare for this final regional battle. Over 60 students in grades 9-12 participated as coaches, family, and friends cheered them on. The teams all proved to be winners when it came to knowledge, team spirit, and good sportsmanship.

Wappingers, Grinnell Green Grapes (pictured above) as well as Teens from 13 libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System’s five counties (Putnam, Dutchess, Columbia, Ulster and Greene) converged at SUNY Ulster on August 18th to compete in the 3rd Annual Mid-Hudson Library System High School Battle of the Books. Photo: Phoebe Temple

The finals were a fierce competition between Beacon and neighboring libraries; Cold Spring and Wappingers. The three round final ended with Cold Spring and Beacon in a tie. Everyone was on the edge of their seats when the two teams met for the tiebreaking round. Beacon answered the tiebreaking question correctly and became the 2018 MHLS High School Battle of the Books champions. This is Beacon’s second championship at the high school level and their 5th win overall since the competition began in 2005. Congratulations to Cold Spring Library’s team “The Evil Latin Teachers” who were the second place winners and to “Grinnell Green Grapes” who finished third.

The participating libraries would like to give a round of applause to Matt Pavloff of Kinderhook library, who is the MHLS High School BOB chairperson for doing such a great job organizing the competition. Many thanks to SUNY Ulster the host venue and all the Friends of the Library organizations who generously donated to support the program. Shout out to Benny’s Pizza in Stone Ridge for feeding all the hungry minds the day of the event. This special event wouldn’t be possible without the effort of the many volunteers who helped the day of the competition, the families who come out to support the teams, and the coaches and librarians who worked so hard throughout the year.