Booking it forward in Lawrence with Hindi's Libraries

Peninsula Public Library was not the quiet study space it usually is, but its front lawn was full of books, blankets, food, and music for Hindi’s Libraries Book it Forward with Ariel community book drive on Aug. 11.

Hindi’s Libraries was founded as a tribute to Dr. Hindi Krinsky by her husband, Dovid Kanarfogel, and Leslie Gang.

“After a former colleague of mine passed away in August of 2018, the community got together to find ways to assist the family,” Gang said. “... Everyone knew that [her] kids were passionate about reading. They always had books in their hand, so we knew that whatever we would do as a tribute would be in some form of literacy and reading.”

They decided to collect one book from each student to fill a freestanding library at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway, where Krinsky taught, and ended up with more than 500 books.

Weeks later, they were receiving books as donations from other schools and communities. “Word was getting out that [we] were collecting children’s books and doing something great with them,” Gang said. “So we evolved into what is now an international nonprofit.”

The Book it Forward event was hosted by Ariel Paskal, 13, a Woodmere Middle School eighth-grader, for her bat mitzvah service project. “I started working with [Hindi’s Libraries] because I really fell in love with reading and books and literature,” Paskal said. “So that’s what I wanted to do for my mitzvah project because I feel that every child should have a chance to read.”

Hindi’s Libraries has partnered with PPL before because of its connection to Krinsky and her children. “Peninsula Public Library is the second home of Hindi’s children,” Gang said. “They would go and still go weekly to read books and play on the computers.”

For this event, Hindi’s Libraries also partnered with Comfort Cases, a Maryland-based organization that provides bags of essential items to children entering the foster care system. “I noticed on their social media that people had been making blankets for them,” Gang said. “They were fleece blankets that you cut and tie [the sides]. So I reached out and I asked them if they would like us to offer this activity at our upcoming events.”

They collected over 3,000 books, made more than 25 blankets, and sold over 200 raffle tickets totaling $2,000 in donations. “I would say that it was really successful,” Paskal said. “I was amazed by how well it went.”

Paskal attributes her love of reading to her sixth grade teacher, Dr. Fusco. “In the beginning of sixth grade I didn’t like reading,” Paskal said. “Throughout the year, she really influenced me a lot and now I love reading. So I really thank her.”

Paskal’s mother, Renee Paskal highlights this as an example of the influence teachers can have on their students, including teachers like Krinsky.

“Every person who knew of [Krinsky] spoke so highly of her,” said Renee Paskal. “...We didn’t know her, we didn’t even know of her, but she certainly made a mark on that school because there were girls there volunteering who had her as a teacher and I just think teachers really play an important role in our children’s lives.”

To volunteer or donate to Hindi’s Libraries, go to https://www.hindislibraries.com/.