I am really excited to see the new main location of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (PLCH) once it completes its $1.5 million renovation. A new chapter: Library redesign one for books

The changes will convert most parts of the library from a subject-based model to what is called the “popular library” style, taking the most popular parts of the library’s collection and putting them into one centralized department on the building’s main floor.

“It really becomes a branch within a branch,” said Greg Edwards, library services manager, who oversees the downtown library and six other urban branch libraries. “We want it to have more of a bookstore feel to it and less of a library feel to it.”

Although I completely understand this statement:

Privately, some librarians say they fear the changes were designed to cut or reduce the number of staff members, but library heads deny that is part of the plan.

PLCH is the eighth most popular library in the country and has an annual budget of just over $52 million dollars. About $48.3 million comes from state funds the rest is generated through fines, fees and investments, according to the library director.