Criticism is being levelled at the planned $69 million redevelopment of the National Library in Wellington.
The revamp is designed to open up and expand the library building, make its heritage collections more accessible to the public, and create additional storage and exhibition space.
Former chief librarian of the Alexander Turnbull Library Jim Traue says too much focus is being put on digitising the library's resources, which will hurt its reputation as a research institution.
He says management also wants to change the institution's culture in order to get more feet through the door.
However, chief executive and National Librarian Penny Carnaby says the Alexander Turnbull library will be in a much more prominent place in the new building and facilities will be expanded.
