Belmont Public Library Finishes Second in Successful Card Push

They didn't win their challenge with Arlington but Belmont public librarians did "win" in the long run.

Belmont Public Library Director Maureen Connors said that the library tripled the number on new library cards in February over last year and came in second in a month long contest with three neighboring towns – Arlington, Somerville and Lexington – to see which could grow the percentage of library cards this February as opposed to the previous   . 

"We received 366 new cards, a 186 percent increase," said Connors, noting that Arlington – which issued the challenge – had a 183 percent increase but it was Somerville which trumped everyone with a 318 percent increase. 

"The whole challenge was a lot of fun and great PR for all the libraries that participated," said Connors.

Robbins Library Director Ryan Livergood and Arlington Selectman Joseph Curro Jr. will soon be dressing up as Clifford the Big Red Dog, as Arlington lost February’s library card sign up challenge, Livergood announced Friday.

Somerville’s library director, Maria Carpenter, warned Livergood of his impending fate at the challenge’s kick-off press conference. “Something you should know about Somerville is that we are fiercely competitive,” she said.

As part of the challenge, Livergood will now have to don his Clifford the Big Red Dog costume and read to children at Somerville Public Library (don’t worry, Arlington Patch will have footage of the event).

Per the challenge, Somerville will also be receiving a platter of baked goods from the losing communities’ favorite local bakeries.

"There are no losers in the challenge," said Connors.

"Among our goals of this friendly competition were to promote the tremendous value of the library card and promote the many fantastic services ourlibraries offer in all of our communities, and it is very clear we successfully met these goals," she added.