THE county’s largest library has opened with a fanfare of Elgar-inspired music.

Whatever the views on the Hive’s exterior, the numbers through the doors on its first full day of operation yesterday proved it will be a building of purpose.

From paying council tax, to checking out one of the 275,000 publicly-owned books, the new library and learning centre – open from 8.30am until 10pm – is set to become a key part of civic life in the city and county.

Proving the point, the first across the threshold was a Worcester lady “here to pay my son’s poll tax”, begrudging the fact she would be “late for work, because of all this”.

The ‘this’ in question was the opening ceremony featuring Elgar School of Music band and a specially-penned piece called The Good Book by brass teacher John Swindells.

Staff from Worcestershire County Council and the University of Worcester, which are jointly running the £60 million shared library, were out in force to guide the first 100 people in for the opening.

Among them were Neville and Pat Billington, of Bromsgrove, with Mr Billington keen to get to grips with the new county archives, now housed in the building’s secure stores.

“It’s an amazing project, with all the libraries now together under one roof,” he said.

Mrs Billington said she still was not keen on the gold roof, but added “it will be all right in a few years, when it’s mellowed”.

Inside, David Cadle, of Claines, was staring up at the mural Rack Alley by Claire Woods and nearby wood cladding, observing “It’s so quiet in here, you don’t get any tip-tapping of feet on the floor.

“I love it, it’s got a warmth inside, this is the best thing to happen to Worcester in years.”

Kathy Kirk, the council’s library and learning services manager, said the building was “accessible for all”.

From young children to students, book-readers to video-gamers, amateur and professional scholars to business people, she said the building had “a space which everyone can make their own little favourite”.

There are 250 computers, an intranet-accessed book and artefacts search, self-service council payment points, and exhibition and archaeological display spaces.

It also has full disabled access, including a well-equipped care suite accessed by swipe card, with washing and laundering facilities, which the council hopes can bring more visitors to the city generally.

• The Queen is to officially open the Hive on Wednesday, July 11. Join us on Twitter on the day using #JubileeWorcs