Hyphen, which also has three art galleries, opened at 10am on Monday, with a grand event this Friday.

Mayor Kev Poulton confirmed it would proceed and he would travel from his Albury home for the event, despite new border restrictions.

"I guess it doesn't matter whether you consider my role paid or primarily volunteered, apparently, now I can cross the river so that's a positive," he said.

A steady stream of people acquainted themselves with the Hyphen on Monday.

"It's very elegant," Wodonga retiree Cris Hockey said.

"I'm a really avid reader and I love libraries and I was hanging out to see it on the first day it opened."

Ms Hockey's partner Roger Pollard was equally as enthusiastic, praising the large windows that allow in plenty of light.

The library replaces the 1982 building that stood on the Hovell Street site before being demolished to be replaced by the Hyphen.

"It's great to see it evolve into this place - we're going to feel very comfortable coming here and reading, for sure," Mr Pollard said.

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Lavington resident Phil Steers labelled it fabulous, although he was not taken with the rusty-looking exterior but added "it might grow on me".

"I'm probably going to come here more often, it's very pleasant," he said.

In a sign of the age in which it opens, the library is operating under COVID rules with QR codes on display, stickers on the floor to aid physical distancing and masks mandatory for staff and visitors.

Wodonga Council's team leader library Ash Gill said restrictions allowed for a maximum of 220 in the two-storey building compared to 75 in the temporary library which operated in High Street while the Hyphen was under construction.

"We are finding the space adapts well and gives us more room to allow people in and have them spaced out," Mr Gill said.

Newspapers, which have not been available since the pandemic began in autumn last year, have returned with the new library.

The opening of the readers' haven was also accompanied by galleries coming online upstairs.

Among those enjoying those areas was artist Trish Cerminara whose work features in an exhibition of four female Indigenous creative talents.

"It's been a long-time in the making and it was really good to be here on the first day to see not only my works but the rest of the works," she said.

Outside the library, a sculptural work done by Inge King has returned to the library forecourt after having been in storage.

The 1972 steel piece was originally commissioned by retailer David Mann for the 50^th anniversary of his produce store and set between the cream brick old library and civic centre.