In the Arts: Ambitious N.Y. Public Library Makeover Draws Fire

The New York Public Library has launched a public-relations effort to blunt criticism from scholars and library traditionalists of the institution’s $300-million renovation of its Fifth Avenue flagship, reports The New York Times.

In published essays and radio and television appearances, Anthony W. Marx, the library’s president, has defended the proposal to outfit the main library, now used strictly as a reference center, with a circulating library, computer terminals, and a cafe. Two Manhattan branches would be sold under the plan.

Critics question plans to move up to half of the central building’s 3 million volumes into storage and say money raised for the renovation would be better spent shoring up deteriorating branches. Mr. Marx, who has appointed an advisory panel that includes plan skeptics to consider the complaints, told the Times the changes “will produce a greater single facility” on Fifth Avenue.

In other arts news:

• One year after the Philadelphia Orchestra’s board voted to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, The Philadelphia Inquirer examines the state of the case and its impact on the organization.

Initially projected to cost $2.9-million and be wrapped up by late 2011, the proceeding now looks likely to cost three times the original estimate and last until July.

Several star musicians have accepted seats with other orchestras, but the organization has also reached a new pact with players that significantly cut labor costs and raised $36-million for its Transformation Fund to implement a reorganization plan.

• Chicago’s Field Museum is expected to hire former University of Oregon President Richard Lariviere as its next CEO, the Chicago Tribune says.

The Field’s board is slated to vote on the appointment today following unanimous approval of the choice Friday by the museum’s executive committee, according to a memo circulated last week by its chairman, John Rowe.

Mr. Lariviere was ousted from his Oregon post by the State Board of Higher Education in November amid a dispute with state officials over spending and governance at the university. But Rowe praised Mr. Lariviere, saying, “He’s somebody who can command respect in any room. He can walk from the anthropology department at the museum to any of the major funders in town and be part of any club.”