A new chapter in Brighton's literary history began as book lovers got their first glimpse of the city's 21st Century Jubilee Library.

The verdict of those who walked through the doors of the £14 million building was "wow"!

Some called the interior as "dazzling" as the building's striking black glass frontage.

Visitors began queuing almost an hour before the library opened and, in the first two hours, more than two thousand people passed through the building.

Among the first eager visitors were 12 of the UK's leading writers, each with a local connection.

Lynne Truss, author of the best-selling Eats, Shoots and Leaves, Booker Prize short-listed Andrew Miller, author of The Optimist, Gladiator screenwriter William Nicholson, Raymond Briggs, creator of The Snowman and teen queen Louise Rennison signed copies of their books.

Suzannah Dunn, Susannah Jones, Mick Jackson, Miriam Moss, Ros Barber, Geraldine Brooks and Danny Leigh were also there to meet fans.

At one stage the buggy park in the children's section was gridlocked, with more than 30 prams and pushchairs.

There were queues to join the library and use the self-service checkout facilities. Most agreed it was a service worth waiting for.

Paul Holder, 28, from Brighton, a Virgin cabin crew member, said: "It's not like an old-style library, where you feel you have to be silent.

"You can play the music in the music section, which is relaxing, and there is free internet access."

Student Emma Shardlow, 21, studying at Manchester University, described the lofty, three-story space as "big and brilliant".

She said: "I love the huge glass windows and the space. It has a cathedral-like feel to it. Things are easy to find and I like the self-service checkout system."

She borrowed a copy of The Art Of War by Sun Tzu.

Photographer John Holloway from Kingston, near Lewes, came to check out the books but found himself leaving with jazz CDs by Keith Jarrett and Jan Garbarek.

He said: "The outside of the building is superb, particularly the south-facing mirror wall.

"And the inside is light and airy, unlike the claustrophobic old place. I'm slightly disappointed in the quantity of books in each section - there is not a terribly big range in the photography and natural history areas, which I am particularly interested in."

Italian-born Anna Brady was in the rare books section, poring over a copy of Boccaccio's Il Decam-erone, written 650 years ago.

Anna, a retired businesswoman, said: "This book is not accessible anywhere else so it is wonderful people like me can come here, put on a pair of gloves and be a historian. It is unique."

Teenagers Ben and Holly Munnery unexpectedly had a day off school thanks to the snow. The Dorothy Stringer pupils decided to use their free time to explore the library and were delighted to discover the teenage section contained a PlayStation.

Ben, 15, said: "This is a lot better than the old library, which was too compact. There are plenty of places to sit and study quietly as well as all these games and CDs you can try before you borrow."

In the children's section, Debbie Allen from Clermont Terrace, Brighton, was looking at the selection of books with youngsters Zuvre, ten, Deniz, nine and Filis, seven, pupils at Balfour Junior and Infant Schools, Brighton.

Debbie said: "The library seems fantastic. The children's area is great and I particularly like the adult study area.

"My only quibble is that it was a bit hard to find."

Children from Somerhill Junior School in Hove came dressed as characters from William Nicholson's book The Wind Singer.

Their teacher Annie Tomlinson said: "What is particularly motivating is for the children to be able to come here and meet the local author who wrote the book they enjoyed so much."

The first person to use the checkout facilities was Janet Lawrence of Coastway Radio, who borrowed Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell.

Janet said: "I love the look of the library and the way it is laid out tempts you to want to read books. And the amount of people here today shows that despite DVDs and CDs and computer games, books are still in fashion and still loved."

The opening of the library turns over a new leaf in the area between the Lanes and North Laine and is the centrepiece for the so-called cultural quarter.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Ken Bodfish said: "This building sets the standard for quality. This proves new buildings can be as iconic and beautiful in the 21st Century as the Regency buildings of the past."

Author Louise Rennison, who was signing books, said: "I loved the old library and, like most people, thought, 'why do we have to change?' But I'm thrilled by this. It's very welcoming."

Lynne Truss said when she first saw the building she said "Cor"!

"It's wonderful. I think it is going to change the landscape and become the heart of Brighton."

Those who signed the visitors' book left a couple of gripes behind them, like banning mobile phones and lack of Sunday opening. But to most it was a bibliophiles heaven.

As one put it: "A library to be proud of."