Burlington Public Library Reaches Final Round Of Minute Madness

BURLINGTON, MA — Burlington Public Library has reached the final of the Minute Madness reading competition after toppling the defending champion.

The second annual Minute Madness event featured 21 libraries from around Massachusetts competing in a monthlong bracket-style reading tournament. Each head-to-head matchup was decided by which library's patrons logged the most reading minutes.

Last week, Burlington Public Library scored a 12.77 weighted total — factoring in the number of minutes and number of library card holders — defeating the defending champion Georgetown Peabody Library (12.10).

On March 29, Burlington began its final-round competition against Tewksbury Public Library, which will last until 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Tewksbury defeated Wilmington Memorial Library in the other semifinal round.

All types of reading and listening materials count toward the competition, including: books, audiobooks, graphic novels, magazines and newspapers. Burlington library staff also remind patrons that they still can join the team.

Patrons can log their minutes by clicking on the Minute Madness banner on the Burlington Public Library website, or by picking up paper forms at the library, located at 22 Sears St.

"We're hoping people will keep reading, logging and recruiting to join Team Burlington," Cara Enos, head of circulation at Burlington Public Library, told Patch. "We know people are getting tired and want their lives back, but we need them to keep reading.

"Actually, it's been great. People are coming in, asking how we're doing and picking up reading logs. We're really happy how much community involvement there has been. It's been a lot of fun, win or lose ... but we're hoping to win."

Enos said Burlington Public Library patrons have logged 333,018 minutes thus far in the competition, and that the library already is excited about the third annual competition next year.

"Oh yeah, we're already planning for next year. We'll definitely be back," Enos said.