By Tyler Spivey

“Business” has gone well during the first week after opening the new library in Troy.

“When we opened the doors, I expected a 30 percent increase [in patrons]; we had a 60 percent increase,” said Library Director William White.

The director reported that the old library was an 11,000 square foot facility that wasn’t initially designed to be a library, but the new facility is a 25,000 square foot building designed with the community in mind.

White said the goal of the new library was to “exceed the public’s expectations,” which, according to him, it did.

“Patrons are pleasantly surprised,” he said. “I haven’t heard anything negative yet.”

The downstairs features an indoor castle to entertain children, complete with a puppet theatre.

“Working with children in general and seeing their excitement just gives me tremendous pleasure,” said Teresa Colvin, the children and young adult librarian.

Colvin said the children had responded to the new library with “total astonishment and amazement.”

The upstairs features a “coffee shop” type area specifically for teens and is designated as a space only for those ages 12 to 18.

According to Colvin, the teen area provides a place for teens to socialize.

Addie Green, the circulation supervisor at the library, said she couldn’t be more excited about the new library.

“I think it’s awesome,” she said. “I love it.”

Green said she likes working at the library because she gets to meet people.

And library goers are just as ecstatic about the new digs.

Black paused from reading a copy of “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” to talk about the library.

“It’s a lot bigger than the old one,” said Roberta Black. “It’s beautiful.”

Patron Shamera Patterson said the new facility looked great and that on a scale of one to 10, she gives the new building a 10.

White said the new library was a lot of work but it was worth it. He said he was also thankful to the city officials for providing the facility during a time of “economic hardship.”

“We’re excited to finally be in the library,” he said.

According to White, more than 3,000 patrons visited the library in the first week.