ALBANY, N.Y. -- It was a big day for Albany Public Libraries Saturday as they cut the ribbon on their newest branch. The John J. Bach Branch is a brand new, $4 million library in the New Scotland neighborhood.

The neighborhood has been without a library since 2007 when a small branch located inside New Scotland Elementary School was closed. Area residents piled in by the hundreds to get their first look at the building that's also expected to win some awards for energy efficiency.

"In the first 40 minutes we had almost 1,400 people come in. Everyone is excited, it's gorgeous, the books are flying off the shelf and we're all very happy,” said Carol Nersinger, Executive Director APL.

Another branch in the Arbor Hill-West Hill section of Albany is scheduled to open next month.