War of the words: Corner Brook cuts down Yellowknife in public library showdown

The final bell has rung for an epic library smackdown, and the Corner Brook Public Library has defeated Yellowknife.

Throughout the month of October, Corner Brook and Yellowknife were waging a literary war on three fronts — highest circulation, most new members and highest program attendance.

• Crunch time for Corner Brook in library smackdown
• Library smackdown! Yellowknife, Corner Brook libraries face off to draw in new readers

The goal was to become a busier, more bustling library than the opponent.

In the end, Corner Brook took two of the three categories, narrowly winning for circulation and program attendance.

To pull off what was pulled off this last month by both libraries, we're both winners.- Sandee Harnum

And while the challenge was all in good fun, both Sandee Harnum of the Corner Brook Public Library and John Mutford of Yellowknife said they took it very seriously.

A third party was even brought in to decide on the winner.

"I'll accept [the result] and won't pull a Donald Trump and claim anything was rigged," Mutford told CBC's Corner Brook Morning Show.

'It was exhausting'

But as far Harnum is concerned, it was win-win for everyone.

"This was very humbling for both libraries," she said. "To pull off what was pulled off this last month by both libraries, we're both winners."

Mutford couldn't agree more. Bringing in 150 new members in October alone, staff worked hard to create new programs and entice more people to use library services.

Just the extra bump and the promotion of it, it was constant.- John Mutford

"It was exhausting, I'll be honest," he said.

"We always have a lot of programs on the go but just the extra bump and the promotion of it, it was constant."

Now that the challenge is over, the two libraries are putting their differences aside and working on a joint program called Socks for Soldiers.

Each library is hosting knitters to use a First World War knitting pattern to make socks for Canadian soldiers overseas.

But that doesn't mean Yellowknife is off the hook.

Harnum said her competitors can expect some T-shirts to remember just who won the challenge.

"I think it will be nice though," she said.

"Something like, 'Partners in a Library Smackdown.' It was so close … they kept us on our toes."