WINDSOR – The wait is almost over.

Albemarle Regional Library Director Jennifer Patterson announced that a date has now been set for the grand re-opening of the Bertie County Public Library.

The Town of Windsor and surrounding areas in the county have been without library service due to flooding and heavy damage suffered to the Lawrence Memorial Public Library on Dundee Street following Tropical Storm Julia and Hurricane Matthew in late September and early October of 2016.

Thanks to several grants, the county was able to secure funding for the temporary re-location of the library to the Windsor Square Shopping Center at the US 13-17 Bypass.

The date for the return will be Monday, Nov. 27.

“We plan to be open to the public from 4-8 p.m., and we’ll begin with a grand opening celebration,” Patterson said. “The library will resume regular hours Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m.

The Director went on to add that there’s been some expansion thanks to grants from the Coretta Scott King Book Award and the Library Service and Tech Act, an expanded book collection, Wi-Fi on a public access server, and new magazine subscriptions beginning in December.

“We’ve tried to fully-restore things and make them as much like before so as to seem seamless,” she said.

“For the re-opening, we will feature a ribbon cutting, library programming, and hors d’oeuvres for everyone who attends,” continued Patterson.

She said the library’s regular hours will be Mondays 10 am-8 pm, Tuesday-thru-Friday 10 am-6 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am-2 pm.

“The Lawrence Library used to be open on Thursday nights,” Patterson noted. “We have now changed that to Monday nights.”

Patrons and new library visitors will still be greeted by the same staff as before, Patterson said.

“Nancy Hughes will still be branch manager, and she will have a staff of three for a total of four persons on hand to assist,” she acknowledged.

Opening night will also feature special guest artists invited to participate in the grand re-opening festivities.

“The evening will kick into high gear at 6 p.m. with live music played by Connected, a jazz band based out of Elizabeth City. They have been performing in the Albemarle area for over ten years,” Patterson noted.

The jazz combo features Dennis Figgs on piano and keyboards, Wayne James on trumpet, Ellard Forrester on drums and percussion, Quin Rawls on stand-up and electric bass, Steve Raisor on electric guitar, and other musicians and vocalists.

The musical group specializes in providing jazz entertainment that ranges from the New Orleans sound to classic jazz tunes to the contemporary sounds of today. All of the members of Connected are music educators who have a love and passion for their craft.

“We’re hoping people will stop by the library, sign our guestbook, and enjoy some fellowship, food, and fun,” Patterson said.