Read All About It! New York State Library Crowns Winners of the 2025 Battle of the Books

The New York State Library is thrilled to announce the winners of this year's Battle of the Books competition, an exhilarating test of literary knowledge that brought together talented middle and high school students from across the region. Held at the New York State Museum in Albany, N.Y., the event saw competition between the North region, featuring teams from Fort Plain Central School District, Gloversville Enlarged School District, and Canajoharie Central School District, and the South region, with participants from Cooperstown Central School District, Roxbury Central School District, and Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School District.

In a day filled with quick thinking and competition, teams made up of 5-6 students went head-to-head against schools in their region, with one winner declared in the middle school and high school categories. They were asked to identify pre-selected books based on the quotes from within them, including the memorable line, "I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun." The answer? Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

The winning teams, victorious after six intense rounds of competition, are:

State Librarian Lauren Moore said, “Battle of the Books is something we look forward to every year as it demonstrates the importance of libraries in a young person’s education and provides an opportunity for students to develop a love of literature in a fun, unique, and meaningful way. A lot of studying goes into Battle of the Books, and I continue to be impressed with not only their recall, but the amount of strategy and comprehension that goes into the competition. A huge congratulations to all who participated! It was truly a wonderful day of literary exploration.”

When not competing, students took part in tours of both the State Museum and the State Library, gaining valuable insights into the educational resources available throughout their schooling and beyond, such as the Research Library and NOVELny, an online library available to every New Yorker, free of charge.

While Wednesday’s contest was the final for these two competing regions, other Battle of the Books may be held elsewhere throughout the state with other participating districts.

About the New York State Library

The New York State Library, established in 1818, is the largest state library in the nation and one of the largest research libraries in North America. It oversees a vast network of more than 7,000 libraries statewide, serving a diverse audience that includes researchers, educators, patrons, lawmakers, state agencies, and the general public.

The Library preserves and maintains invaluable historical collections and works, and serves as a Regional Depository for federal publications. It administers the Federal Depository Library Program in partnership with 65 selective Federal depository libraries throughout New York State. Additionally, the State Library is the official repository of New York State government publications, ensuring their enduring preservation and accessibility for future generations.

The Library’s mission is advanced through several key divisions, including the Research Library, which houses a collection of over 20 million items, the Talking Book and Braille Library, a free service for eligible New Yorkers unable to use standard print materials, and the Division of Library Development, which identifies opportunities to improve and expand modern library services throughout the state.

A vital part of the Office of Cultural Education, the New York State Library is located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, N.Y. and is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Its robust collections are accessible onsite and through an interlibrary loan program. Researchers worldwide can also explore government documents and historical materials through the New York State Library’s Digital Collections. 

For more information, please visit the New York State Library website and subscribe to our quarterly newsletter.