HELL’S KITCHEN, Manhattan (WABC) — Police are investigating after a lending library near P.S. 111 in Hell’s Kitchen was set on fire, destroying the books inside.
Members of the school’s parent-teacher association discovered what remained of the books Sunday.
PTA President Sonali Khandwala said she was devastated by the damage.
“I was heartbroken,” Khandwala said. “I can’t believe someone would do that to something. That’s for our community.”
The lending library has been in the neighborhood for more than a year and operates on the idea that people can leave a book and take a book.
“We’re working with the local precinct. And the principal has been in touch with Power Station Berkeley over across the street to get footage. We’re trying to figure out who did it,” Khandwala said.
The loss was personal for Khandwala and her daughter, who have contributed books to the library.
“We’re always putting books in the lending library also, so other kids can have an opportunity to read the same books. And it’s important to, you know, share the love of reading,” she said.
Word of the fire spread on social media, prompting support from community members. Among them was Charles Guenancia, owner of Cubby’s, who said he had already started building another lending library.
“I offered to be a host for a lending library. I have that ledge right there by the window. And I figured having it be at a physical location will keep things safer,” Guenancia said.
“I think that things like that, a lending library in this day and age, with technology, with social media, is one of those things that is steeped in tradition,” he said.
“I want to build community. I want to do it via cheeseburger or via tomato soup, via books, whatever way we can do it,” Guenancia said.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to order a new lending library for P.S. 111.
“We’re not going to let it take down our community,” Khandwala said.
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