Wilmington Wins First Reading Rivals With Tewksbury

WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington Memorial Library won the first Reading Rivals challenge with Tewksbury Public Library Wednesday, the libraries announced.

Wilmington readers logged 769,931 minutes over the six-week competition, to Tewksbury's 761,399 minutes.

The competition was close, with the lead flipping back and forth every week. Going into the final two days, Tewksbury held a 7,000-minute lead.

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Wilmington had more participants logging minutes for the library, with 525 to Tewksbury's 455.

"Thank you SO MUCH to all our patrons for logging all your minutes - you absolutely crushed this challenge," Wilmington Memorial said. "We can't thank you enough for your loyalty to our library and your dedication to reading."

"Tewksbury lost by just 0.5 percent," Tewksbury Public said. "We'll get them next year!"

"We won't let Wilmington get too comfortable with their new trophy," the library said.

The two libraries combined for over 1.5 million minutes from Oct. 12 to Nov. 24 — far exceeding the initial goal of 100,000 Wilmington Memorial Library set.

Both libraries also announced their grand prize raffle winners.

• Tewksbury: Richard Levasseur received a $100 gift card to a Tewksbury business, choosing the Pizza Bar.
• Wilmington: Jacqueline K won a $100 gift card to a Wilmington business.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.