By Neil Offen

noffen@heraldsun.com; 419-6646

DURHAM -- Nine years after local voters first made the commitment, Durham now has a complete set of regional libraries, one for each quadrant of the community.

Wednesday's grand opening of the South Regional Library on South Alston Avenue was the final piece of the puzzle. East Regional Library opened in 2006, and North Regional followed a year later. Southwest Regional Library opened two months ago.

The new facilities, funded mostly by 2001 and 2003 general obligation bonds, along with Certificates of Participation financing, were designed to put a library within five miles of every Durham resident.

They have done that, said Michael Page, the chairman of the Durham County Board of Commissioners. "Our collective vision has now been realized," Page said during Wednesday's ceremonial opening in front of the low-slung, brick building. "That's because in 2001 and 2003, our voters trusted this vision."

The opening of the South Regional library brought out a bevy of local officials, along with Parkwood and Lowe's Grove residents, who were bursting with pride at the completion of the new facility and the rounding of the library circle.

"This is our legacy to our children," Page said. "This is a jewel and an asset to the community."

The South Regional Library, added fellow Commissioner Becky Heron, is more than just a place for books.

"There's something for everyone here," she said, including free yoga classes, which she said she might even consider taking. "This is and will be a vital part of neighborhood life."

Matt Rogers, one of the myriad of neighborhood residents who had come for the opening, said he was glad to see public money put to what he considered such good use.

"This is a great facility," he said, as his three kids explored the stacks in the children's section. "I'm not usually in favor of bonds, but this is something people will use. It's nice to see some of our money being well spent."