Thinking and feeling big.

That was the immediate impact this morning when the new Greerton library threw open its door for the first time today.

About 200 people braved the chill for the opening of the new, revamped Greerton Library this morning. Photos: Andrews Campbell

Within minutes of the ribbon cutting ceremony at the main entrance, Greerton Library staff began what will be a long and busy day as they revamped library will be open until 6pm.

With 960m2 of book space, the new library is more than double the size compared to the the old library, and is described as a 'modern, engaging and vibrant' facility right in the heart of Greerton Village.

A well-attended opening ceremony saw about 200 people brave the chill to hear Mayor Stuart Crosby recap the history of the library rebuild and thank those responsible for keeping the council aware of the project.

While Libraries manager Jill Best added that the site is a traditional Māori learning centre stretching back centuries when she addressed the crowd this morning.

Tauranga City Council approved the $3.45 million project in its 2014/15 annual plan. Then the New Zealand Lottery Grants board chipped in $200,000 which meant the library grew by an additional 60 square metres. It also added space to the learning centre and community room.

For Greerton library staff, today marks the end of a month of re-shelving books with books moved from the old library to the temporary library and back again. New books and those that have been boxed up since the old library closed for the rebuild in May 2015.

This morning's official opening marks not just the completion of a year-long construction process, but more than a decade of campaigning for the new building by the community.

Greerton Library staff have been in the new library since June 13, first setting up the new shelving, then beginning the re-shelving of the library's collection.

Librarian Shelly Wu says there were fewer books available for loan at the temporary library in Cameron Road.

'That was a temporary and smaller library. We reduced our collection and some books were put in boxes.”

There will also be more staff for the new Greerton Library, partly because of the extended hours. It will be open Saturday and Sunday, where previously Greerton Library closed for the weekend from midday Saturday.

And it doesn't leak, a fact meeting universal approval from staff who used to dread the rain.