An estimated 5,000 people flowed through the spacious and elegant Vancouver Community Library on Sunday, lavishing praise on the five-story building that will become a destination spot in downtown.
Entertainment was provided by the Hough Youth Escola de Samba percussion group. Actors from the Christian Youth Theater portrayed literary figures during the opening day.
Dignitaries at the ribbon-cutting included former head librarians Ruth Watson and Sharon Hammer. Among the dignitaries were Secretary of State Sam Reed and longtime library board member Merle Koplan.
Additional concrete and rebar mean the library weighs the equivalent of a 30-story condominium.
The building is projected to use 33 percent less energy than required by code.
Approximately 250 workers spent about 160,000 person-hours building the library.
The Columbia Room on the first floor can seat 135 people and features a full Clark-Vancouver TV (CVTV) control room.