Park Slope "Book Nerd" Blogger Wins Library Prize

Congratulations to Jessica Stockton-Bagnulo of Park Slope on winning the Brooklyn Public Library's 4th Annual Power Up! business-plan competition. Devotees of Brooklyn blogs may recognize Stockton-Bagnulo as the literary lion behind The Written Nerd, the self-proclaimed "confessions of an independent bookseller and unrepentant book nerd".

As the top prize winner in the competition, Stockton-Bagnulo will receive $15,000 toward starting her dream business: an independent bookstore. She's now looking for investors to join her as she scouts Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Windsor Terrace, and Clinton Hill for possible locations. Any takers? It's more than a worthy cause. We need more independent bookstores in our borough.

A complete list of the competition's winners and more information on Power Up! is available here.

Greenpoint Book Swap

Speaking of the Greenpoint library, head librarian Mel Gooch and her team have organized a Book Swap for this Saturday, January 19th between 3 and 4:30 PM. Readers of all ages are invited to the Greenpoint Library at 107 Norman Ave. to trade books they are finished with for new literary delights.

All books for exchange must be in good condition and books of all languages are welcome. There will also be a free raffle for a Brooklyn Public Library tote bag.

For more information, call 718-349-8504. For a listing of other special events, including classes, at any of Brooklyn's pubic libraries, check out the BPL's website.

A Better Home For Books

While I've certainly picked up my share of books left out on stoops over the years, there is a better way for Brooklynites to dispose of their used and unwanted books. Today, The Optimist took a shopping bag full of books over to the Greenpoint branch of the Brooklyn Public Library to donate them to his neighbors, hoping that they would get as much enjoyment out of them as he had.

I had never made a donation to the library before - since, as a writer, it pains me to part with books - so I didn't know what to expect. Fortunately, I was informed by a librarian at the front desk that my books fit the criteria for acceptable donations and that my gift was even tax deductible, if that had been my motivation.

Rather than trashing your books or abandoning them to chance and the elements, The Optimist encourages his readers to bring them over to their local library. According to a handout I received at the Greenpoint branch, Brooklyn's public libraries accepts some materials in good physical condition, including hardcover and paperback books, videos and DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and children's books.

They do not accept encyclopedias; directories, almanacs or yearbooks; Reader's Digest condensed books; computer, health or finance books, and textbooks more than three years old; single issues of magazines and other periodicals; and, sadly, records.

To locate your local branch, check out the Brooklyn Public Library's website here.