The first phase of Selsdon's new library opened its doors to the public just before Christmas.

The facility is part of the new Sainsbury's in Addington Road and has been paid for jointly by the council and the supermarket giant.

Croydon Mayor Councillor Jane Avis visited the library with its caf, bar, community hall and new headquarters for Selsdon Centre for the Retired, last Friday.

Croydon Council is once again sponsoring the Croydon Champions culture award and with 2004 named as the council's year of culture, the new library is the first of many new community facilities set to open in the borough.

In contrast to the drab, 1960s building which housed the former Selsdon library the new library is bright and airy and boasts the latest technology.

When Coun Avis entered the library her immediate response was: "What an amazing building." Her enthusiasm grew throughout her visit.

The library provides public access to computers, comfortable casual seating and clearly labelled displays of books, DVDs and videos as well as large print and talking books.

The children's section is large enough to comfortably accommodate visits by school classes and talks by authors.

Sliding glass doors separate the children's library from the main adult's section, enabling the two to operate independently.

The library is certainly popular, while I was there all the computers were in use and there was a steady stream of visitors, some making use of the daily newspaper on offer and others choosing new books.

Joyce Smith, of Foxearth Road, Selsdon, uses the library every fortnight and told the Guardian: "The library is very good and nicely laid out. The children's section is very good. The staff are very helpful."

During her tour of the children's library Coun Avis joined more than 70 adults and children at the weekly rhymetime session and watched a rowdy rendition of The Grand Old Duke of York.

The new caf and community hall was the next stop on the tour. The caf is due to open in April and I am sure it will be popular with library visitors and shoppers alike.

Walking through the bright and fresh caf you reach the new community hall, home to Selsdon Park playgroup.

Furnished with a large stage, accessible via a wheelchair lift, the hall will also be available for hire for weddings and meetings.

Once Coun Avis had helped several children add their hand prints to a wall, I left her to her lunch at the Selsdon centre for the retired, which has moved from a temporary building at the back of the library to a fully equipped day room with floor to ceiling windows.

The official opening of the complex takes place in June when the final phase, the new Sainsbury's store will be completed. With shopping, leisure and refreshments all under one fantastic roof it deserves to be a success.

With Centrale close to completion, the new Thornton Heath pool opening in the summer and plans for the Gateway sports arena in East Croydon, the borough really will be a champion place to live, work and play.