Participating in Friday’s official opening of the White Rock Branch Library, from left, Library Manager Steven Thomas, County Council Chair Kristin Henderson, former Councilor Fran Berting and Los Alamos Family Council Board President Rev. Colin Kelly. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Hill Stompers lead a Children’s Parade into the new White Rock Branch Library during Friday’s grand opening celebration. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

The brand new White Rock Branch Library officially opened at 11 a.m. Friday. A large crowd gathered for the event, which included tours of the new library, a children’s parade led by the Los Alamos Hill Stompers, lunch and a performance by Wise Fool in addition to the ribbon cutting.

“It’s a great day for White Rock and Los Alamos,” County Council Chair Kristin Henderson said. She pointed out that County readers check out 400,000 books a year, triple the national average, making the new library a very special event for the County.

The new 10,500-square-foot Library broke ground May 28, 2014. It was finished on schedule and just under the $5.4 million budget, which allowed for several extras.

“Libraries are one of the world’s finest inventions,” Robert Repass said. Repass has served on the Library Board and is now a member of the White Rock Master Plan Implementation Committee, of which the Library and the new Youth Activity Center are a part.

The Activity Center also officially opened Friday along with a new musical park, Let’s Play, LA!, a partnership project of the County and Leadership Los Alamos class of 2014.

The crowd listens to speakers at Friday’s opening of the new White Rock Branch Library and Youth Activity Center. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

The new White Rock Branch Library, right, and the newly remodeled Youth Activity Center, left, officially opened Friday at the corner of Sherwood Boulevard and N.M. 4. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

The Los Alamos Hill Stompers perform in the stage area inside the new White Rock Branch Library. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com