LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A major $8 million renovation is planned for Louisville's Main Library.

Demolition started Friday morning when Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer grabbed a sledge hammer and helped bust through a lobby wall to an outdated stack space at the branch on York Street.

LOUISVILLE MAIN LIBRARY RENOVATIONS - FISCHER - 12-16-2022 1.jpg

Renovations to the Main Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library began on Friday with the help of outgoing Mayor Greg Fischer. (WDRB Image). Dec. 16, 2022

One goal is to reopen the library's third floor, which closed in 2018 due to budget cuts. The plan is to use the space for things such as interactive learning spaces and labs.

The project also includes improvements to parts of the building's exterior that was added in the 1960s and hasn't been revamped since.

Lee Burchfield, the director of the Louisville Free Public Library, said the vision includes reimagining the existing six floors of stacks to open up the 16,000-square-foot space.

"What's behind us are six floors of library shelving with space for about 230,000 volumes, and when you count all six floors, it's about 13,000 square feet of space, which, if we can figure out how to make it up locally accessible, will really significantly add to the resources we can make available to the public here," Burchfield said. 

The library director added that the Main Library, "should be the best library in the state and right now it's not even the best library in the county."

The project is another funded by money from the American Rescue Plan. Over the past 12 years, the city has invested $55 million into the construction and renovation of area libraries.

As a result of Metro Government funding, the city has been able to reopen libraries in Fairdale and Middletown. It has also built the Southwest Regional, South Central Regional and Northeast Regional libraries. 

Funding has also aided in the renovation of libraries in St. Matthews, Shawnee, Shively, Bon Air and Iroquois. 

With the additional money from the American Rescue Plan, the city announced it is renovating and reopening the Parkland Library, along with improving the Portland Library and Main Library. 

Another library is also set to be built in Fern Creek. 

Construction on the Main Library is expected to wrap up by June 2025.

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