The doors have officially opened on Auckland's newest and most controversial public library.

Devonport Public Library caused a stir, when news emerged of its $100,000 silk curtain designed by artist Judy Millar.

PHOTOS: Opening ceremony of the Devonport Library

The 22-metre-long and three-metre wide double-sided curtain will be used as a folding wall at night, and kept out of reach during the day.

Devonport-Takapuna local board chairman Mike Cohen says the library plays a significant role in the Devonport peninsula.

The $7.8 million building, designed by Athfield Architects, has opened just a day after a memorial service for the Sir Ian Athfield in Wellington.

It has high ceilings, a mezzanine floor area, and 950 square metres of floor space, on the same land as the former library on Windsor Reserve.

There are harbour views through large windows on the south and east sides of the building.

To the west the entrance opens out to Devonport's main street.