The K.C. and S.F. public libraries are fighting on Twitter, and it's delightful

The public library is one of America's great social institutions. In the age before the internet, the library represented the free exchange of information better than anything else -- you could check out almost any book and learn whatever you wanted.

You know what's another great American institution? Baseball. Unfortunately, it seems as though the Royals-Giants World Series has torn America's public libraries asunder:

Hey @SFPublicLibrary we have a book for you! http://t.co/k0IiHUuvt1 #BlueOctober #TaketheCrown pic.twitter.com/6g7CVDEhOd

- KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 21, 2014

Uh oh! That's some library tough talk coming at San Francisco from Kansas City. How could they possibly respond?

@KCLibrary Thanks, but maybe you should read this: http://t.co/retK4JHVi4 #OrangeOctober #OctoberTogether @SFGiants pic.twitter.com/N8CoydSBFV

- SF Public Library (@SFPublicLibrary) October 21, 2014

Ah, an appeal to history -- something you'd think a library would respect. And, well -- yes, they do:

.@SFPublicLibrary @SFGiants Hard to argue with Willie Mays, but at least our history reads "From Kansas City to Kansas City" @Royals

- KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 21, 2014

That's a very reasonable rebuttal, and quite a polite one too. What does San Francisco have to say?

@KCLibrary @Royals No argument about terrific Kansas City, but @SFGiants history shows we've been amazing coast to coast #OrangeOctober

- SF Public Library (@SFPublicLibrary) October 21, 2014

This might just be the most courteous Twitter fight in the history of the medium. I mean, that's probably to be expected from America's public libraries, but it's still a breath of fresh air. K.C. even took it one step further, wishing the Giants and their Game 1 starter some luck:

.@SFPublicLibrary So courteous! May Madison Bumgarner & @SFGiants only lose 1-0 tonight :) #GoRoyals #BlueOctober #TakeTheCrown

- KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 21, 2014

But, apparently, the San Francisco library had them right where they wanted them:

.@KCLibrary We're polite but fierce! Get ready to cry some blue tears for @Royals when @SFGiants take the win tonight. #OrangeOctober

- SF Public Library (@SFPublicLibrary) October 21, 2014

I guess the Twitter fight is back on. May the most well-read city win.

[h/t SBNation]