Second Chapter

Our mission is to give used books a second life, a second chapter. We hope to inspire a culture of sustainability, where knowledge is shared and environmental impact is minimized: one book at a time.

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Inspiration

An estimated 320 million books are thrown away in landfills every year. This adds to the amount of paper that accounts for 25% of landfill waste! Books are loved by many all over the world and they deserve their own Second Chapter in live.

We aim to create a digital version of local "take a book, leave a book" pop up libraries. Our site adds in the personal aspects to second-hand giveaways hoping to not only contribute to a more sustainable Earth, but to make some like-minded friends along the way :)

What it does

Second Chapter promotes a community that values both the planet and reading. We encourage people to share and claim used books, reducing waste, conserving environmental resources, and promoting a positive message about conscious consumption. We hope to inspire a culture of sustainability, where knowledge is shared, and environmental impact is minimized... one book at a time.

Users can browse for all the books that are up for grabs in the main section. You can filter by genre, and even see how far away you are from the book (distances are filtered and sorted by closest to farthest for ease of use). Not sure where that is? Check the interactive map to your left! All you have to do is click the claim button, and an email will be sent to the current owner of the book where all further communication can be handled.

Users can also add a book of their own (if they're willing to part with it of course) by clicking on the Add Book button. Search for the title of your book, and the API will grab the rest!

How we built it

Front End: React Database: MongoDB APIs: Google Books API, Resend API, Leaflet, NextAuth Server: Next.js

Challenges we ran into

We ran into a lot of challenges with the DNS as it wasn't verifying for us. We also ran into difficulties managing all the different APIs, but we were able to pull through!

Accomplishments that we're proud of

If 1,000 books are traded, 200-300 trees are saved, reducing the demand for thousands of gallons of water, and preventing significant CO2 emissions. If 10,000 books are traded, the impact multiplies.

What we learned

We learned A LOT! About full stack development and what it means to work as a team!

What's next for Second Chapter

  • Expand Globally Access for people in other countries
  • Develop Mobile App Increase engagement and accessibility
    • Scan Feature Promote fast engagement
  • Additional queries

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Updates

posted an update —

The future of Second Chapter envisions a thriving platform that redefines how books are valued, shared, and preserved. As we grow, we aim to build a larger, global community of readers committed to sustainability. By expanding our reach, we’ll make it easier for people from all walks of life to access literature, contributing to a more inclusive and educated society. Our platform will continue to innovate, incorporating new features like digital catalogs, personalized recommendations, and partnerships with libraries and authors, all while staying true to our mission.

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posted an update —

As a team, we learned that collaboration is key in order to successfully bring an amazing idea into life. We were all able to share our own unique experiences and apply personal skills that best fit for the completion of certain tasks. We created timelines and kept each other accountable. Additionally, while diving into the sustainability aspect of the project, our understanding of environmental issues related to waste and consumption grew.

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posted an update —

Users can select location and genre preferences which will prompt available books within those features. Users can claim used books or post their own pre-loved books for others to claim. Login and sign in features are also available for users who wish to keep track of the books they've claimed or given to others.

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posted an update —

Second Chapter emphasizes sustainability focus and the importance of community engagement. Our mission is to give used books a second life... a second chapter. We encourage people to share and claim used books, reducing waste, conserving environmental resources, and promoting a positive message about conscious consumption.

Log in or sign up for Devpost to join the conversation.