DANIEL Einhorn of Coopers Shoot was running late for school on Monday, but he had an important date.
The eight-year-old wanted to be the first child through the doors of the new Byron Bay Library - and he was.
"It's pretty big," Daniel said when asked what he thought of the new building.
"I like reading, so I will be coming here a lot, and the kids' area is great."
Daniel's father Les said he had encouraged his son to be at the library when it opened.
"We know he's going to be late for school, but we think this event is important," he said.
A small but enthusiastic crowd anxiously awaited the 9.30am opening, and everyone was impressed with their first glimpse of Byron's newest public facility.
At a cost of $3.75 million, the battle for the new library has taken nearly 30 years.
President of the Friends of the Library group, Bob Levett, said the opening realised a long-held dream for a lot of people.
"The library is so much more than I thought it would be," he said.
"It's beautiful. You can see the trees out the back, and the children's area is just wonderful.
Brian Pamphilon from Suffolk Park was "super impressed" with the new building.
Area librarian Byron Shire, Brenda Anderson, said the opening was a very special day.
"The library is absolutely fantastic," she said.
A family fun morning for the community will be held at the library on Saturday from 9.30am.
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