March Madness usually brings to mind basketball, but the Bangor Public Library is thinking books and is hosting its own March Madness Book Competition.

Inspired by an article in the Feb. 17 edition of The New York Times, “Literary Sport: The Roar of the Crowd, the Review of the Books,” by Sarah Boxer, the library began its tournament of books the first week in March and invites everyone in the area to participate. This totally arbitrary book competition will result in one book being named the winner – or “The Last Book Standing in Bangor.”

Participation includes voting in each round of the competition and cheering for one’s favorite titles. Supporters may vote and leave supporting comments on the library’s Web site, www.bpl.lib.me.us, click on Last Book Standing, or in person at the library.

Readers may track the progress of the contest on the Web site by viewing the daily scores and the weekly tournament chart, and by reading updates on the competition by our Virtual Referee Judge, “Emily.” The Last Book Standing will be named on March 31.

There are four rounds in the competition. Round one, held during the first week in March, started with 16 titles published in 2004. There were eight categories to start: Spy thrillers, adventure, mystery, romance, science fiction, legal stories, general fiction and nonfiction. After the first round, however, genre no longer matters. “The Amateur Marriage” by Anne Tyler could be competing against “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow, or Jack Higgins’ “Dark Justice” against “Black Wind” by Clive Cussler.

At the time of this writing, “Mallets Aforethought” by Maine author Sarah Graves had a significant lead, and John Grisham is lagging far behind. Will there be an upset with Grisham – an early favorite – eliminated in the first round of the competition?

The Virtual Referee Judges – all library fictions – have taken on a life of their own and are submitting critiques along with real readers from around the state. “Emily” is based on an actual Bangor Public Library librarian who prefers to remain hidden behind the Web pseudonym.

One real fan commented, “What a great idea to liven up the end of winter!” Another wrote, “I am only voting for general fiction – “My Sister’s Keeper.” That was by far the best book on the entire list.”

The public is invited to join in the madness and help name the Last Book Standing. Is the library mad about books? You bet!

Other events coming to the library:

. Arctic traveler Pam Flowers, author of “Alone Across the Arctic,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, in the library’s Lecture Hall.

. Documentary film “Hard Work,” 7 p.m. Thursday, March 24. Jim Sharkey’s award-winning film, followed by a discussion with the filmmaker and Carol Toner, associate professor of history at the University of Maine. “Hard Work” explores the experiences of women who worked in Maine’s shops and factories in the late 19th century.

Barbara McDade is the director of Bangor Public Library on Harlow Street.