Readers discover new state-of-the-art library

A small crowd gathered outside the entrance opposite Marks and Spencer at the Eden shopping centre to be the first to look around the new facilities.

They discovered the four floors of the new 5.6 million library - twice the size of its former location in Queen Victoria Road - and browsed through the 58,000 books, plus CDs and DVDs on the shelves.

Sultan Ahmed, a retired stock controller from Roberts Road, High Wycombe, was the first person through the doors at 9.30am.

Margaret Dewar, Buckinghamshire County Council cabinet member for community services, welcomed him and presented him with £15 Waterstones book voucher.

Mr Ahmed said: "This is a very nice place to come sit and read, to relax between doing things in the town centre."

The building is packed with self-service borrowing and returning stations, computer suites, a local history room and a brightly coloured children's library.

On the first floor, a specially designed Headspace area gives teenagers a private area with bean bags and computers - including a Nintendo Wii - to socialise, read and surf the Internet.

Tunzeen Akhter, of Gomm Place, Loudwater, took her four-year-old daughter Mubarakah, to check out the new children's facilities.

She said: "I used the old library for years. This one is so much more spacious, especially for the children. It's absolutely brilliant.

"Teenagers tend to think libraries are boring, but I think this will get them to use it more.

"They've really catered for all ages well."

Judith Curry, the new library's project manager, said she was delighted to see the outcome after all the hard work.

She said: " I feel elated. I think it's everything I wanted and more.

"It's a library with something for everybody.It has universal appeal and will be the place to go in town."

Have you been to the new library yet? Tell us what you think by commenting below.

Take a look at our video of the new facilities - click on the link below.