BTW News Briefs

Page and Palette Bookkeeper Accused of Embezzling

As reported in Alabama's Press-Register , a bookkeeper for Page and Palette bookstore in Fairhope, Alabama, was arrested on charges of embezzling about $50,000 from the bookstore by writing checks in its name over the past two years.

Theresa Canavan Lyda was charged with 25 counts of second-degree possession of a forged instrument, said the Press-Register.

"All I have to say is that I have faith that Fairhope police will bring justice in this situation," Page & Pallette owner Karin Wilson told the newspaper. Lyda, who worked at the bookstore from 2006 to 2008 was considered a trusted employee. Recently, however, Wilson said she and staffers saw a suspicious pattern on the books, and after further exploration, reported it to the police.

Just last month, Anna Susan Kosak, a former employee of Raleigh, North Carolina's Quail Ridge Books & Music was arrested and charged with embezzling $348,975 from the bookstore. Kosak is charged with taking the money over several years.

NEIBA Seeks Nominations for Isaac Epstein Scholarship

The New England Independent Booksellers Association is seeking applications from member booksellers for the Isaac Epstein Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship is for bookseller professional development, which includes participation at BookExpo America, ABA's Winter Institute, a Paz & Associates school, or other approved curriculum.

Candidates may apply directly for the scholarship or be nominated by others in the book industry. Details are available on the NEIBA website. The deadline is February 21, 2009.

Kaplan Publishing Announces Arrangement With Cleveland Clinic Press

Kaplan Publishing has acquired the majority of the assets of Cleveland Clinic Press, which includes 36 titles. Kaplan Publishing will now publish Cleveland Clinic Guides, consumer health books written by Cleveland Clinic experts in various subject areas. The Cleveland Clinic Press was originally formed in 2005 to increase consumer health literacy.

Stacey's Bookstore to Close

Stacey's Bookstore, the 85-year-old San Francisco institution, announced that it will close in March, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The bookstore, which had been affected by online booksellers and chains, was laid low by the current economy. General Manager Tom Allen reported that sales had fallen by half since 2001, and that 2008 fourth quarter sales were off by 15 percent from last year.

John W. Stacey, a botanist and bookseller, opened the original 216-square-foot medical textbook bookstore in the Flood Building on Market Street in 1923. In 1946, Stacey's branched out and began carrying a line of technical and professional titles, including the first computer books published. A second store was opened in 1959 at the current Market Street location. Eventually, the original location closed and the Market Street location became a general bookstore.

VanderWyk & Burnham Switches Distribution to Partners

Publisher VanderWyk & Burnham, acquired on January 1 by Quick Publishing of St. Louis, Missouri, is now being distributed by Partners Book Distributors of Holt, Michigan. Quick Publishing acquired more than 25 new titles in the VanderWyk & Burnham acquisition. VanderWyk & Burnham titles were formerly distributed by National Book Network.