In less than two weeks, Troy’s new state-of-the art library will be open to the public.

“It’s been a long process. It’s been a rewarding process,” said Library Director William White.

Work on the 24,000-square-foot library began last summer and is scheduled to come in under its $4 million budget.

“It’s been a great deal of effort, but we are determined to see it through,” White said. “I want to exceed people’s expectations.”

The library will be home to an indoor castle where children will spend time and read, a cafe-style area for teens and there will also be access to a meeting room with an 11-foot diagonal high definition screen compatible with iPhones and iPads.

White told community leaders throughout the building process that he wanted the library to be more than a repository for books. He envisioned a community resource center.

“It’s entirely custom,” White said. “It’s not based on anything and it won’t be what people expect just looking at the traditional structure from the outside.”

The library’s grand opening will take place on July 12 at 10 a.m.

“It’s going to get here quicker than any of us realize, especially me,” White said with a good-natured laugh.

And to meet that grand opening date, White said he needs help from the public.

The old library will close today at 5 p.m. and the library staff will then have to move 67,000 books, coupled with office furniture, to the new building.

That means workers need both buildings clear of curious community members until July 12.

“We need people to stay away from both buildings until we officially open,” White said. “But I am so excited that they are excited!”