NY library ‘modernisation’ faces opposition

A bid to give New York’s largest public library a makeover has prompted international condemnation.

Officials say the renovations, which will see millions of books moved off-site, are long overdue, and are necessary to modernise the facility and save money.

But scholars fear the plans are bound to end a chapter in the life of the library, which is used by researchers from around the globe.

Noted authors like Salman Rushdie and Mario Vargas Llosa are among those who have signed an online petition against the move.

Al Jazeera’s Kristen Saloomey reports from New York.