For a year now, patrons of the Troy Public Library and curiosity seekers have taken sneak peaks at the progress of the new facility which seemed to move slowly at times.

But, at last, the day is near when the doors of the new library will open and the public will be invited to tour the state-of-the-art Troy Public Library.

The grand opening is set from 10 a.m. Thursday at 500 East Walnut St. and will be hosted by Mayor Jimmy Lunsford, the Troy City Council and the Troy Library Board.

“We’ve all waited a long time for this day,” Shelia Jackson, Troy public relations director said. “Thursday will be great day for all of us and for generations to come. This is a facility that we can all take pride in.”

On the program for the grand opening will be Lunsford, Councilman Jason Reeves, Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Library Director William White, and Library Board Chair Rebecca Skibba. A dedication prayer will be offered by City Council President Johnny Witherington.

“A new public library has long been a dream for Troy,” Lunsford said. “The opening of the new Troy Public Library is the realization of that dream and the city now has a state-of-the-art library designed to provide outstanding and innovative services, not only for Troy residents, but for those throughout the area.”

Reeves, chair of the city council’s Education, Recreation and Library committee, said the new library project has been an exciting process.

“It has taken many years and a lot of effort by a lot of people to bring this project to fruition, and we believe the library will be a place for people to make learning a lifelong activity in Troy for many years to come,” Reeves said.

The building is more than 24,000 square feet and incorporates a multi-purpose meeting room that includes audio-visual technology, soundproof study rooms for tutoring, a computer lab, a formal reading room and a multi-purpose reading garden.

The new library also features dedicated genealogy and teen areas, and offers e-books for download on handheld devices.

Lunsford said much of the innovation was due to the efforts of the library staff.