On Sunday, a blaze ignited outside P.S. 111 in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen, completely destroying the small lending library that has served local families for more than a year. The library, a simple bookshelf where residents could leave a book and take a book, was a grassroots effort to promote reading and community connection.
Community response
PTA President Sonali Khandwala discovered the charred remains with other members of the school’s parent‑teacher association. “I was heartbroken,” Khandwala said, adding that the loss felt personal because she and her daughter had contributed books to the shelf. “We’re not going to let it take down our community,” she affirmed.
Police are currently investigating the incident, and the school is working with the local precinct and nearby businesses to obtain surveillance footage. “We’re working with the precinct, and the principal has been in touch with Power Station Berkeley across the street to get footage. We’re trying to figure out who did it,” Khandwala explained.
Local leaders step in
Neighborhood support poured in quickly on social media. Charles Guenancia, owner of the nearby eatery Cubby’s, announced he would host a new lending library on a ledge by his restaurant’s window, believing a physical location would improve safety. “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,” Guenancia said. He added, “I want to build community. I want to do it via cheeseburger or via tomato soup, via books, whatever way we can do it.”
Efforts are also under way to order a replacement bookshelf for P.S. 111. The PTA and school administration are coordinating donations and volunteer help to restock the library as quickly as possible.
Why the library matters
The lending library has been more than a collection of books; it has been a symbol of shared responsibility and parental involvement in the neighborhood. By allowing families to exchange books freely, it encourages literacy, fosters a love of reading among children, and strengthens ties between neighbors.
For many parents, the library represented a tangible way to model generosity and stewardship for their children. “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,” Khandwala said.
Next steps
The school district has pledged to support the rebuilding effort, and local volunteers are already gathering to clean the site and plan a reopening event. Community members are encouraged to donate gently used books, monetary contributions, or their time to help restore the library.
Police have not released any details about a suspect, but the investigation remains active. Residents are asked to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the 9‑1‑1 dispatcher.
As the neighborhood rallies around the loss, the incident underscores the resilience of Hell’s Kitchen families and their commitment to preserving traditions that nurture the next generation.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
