Libraries to temporarily close to update IT system

All 36 libraries in West Sussex will close for three days to allow a new IT management system to be put in place.

They will be shut from 19-21 January to all customers, with online services and phone renewals via the customer service centre also unavailable.

Russell Allen, West Sussex County Council's head of service for libraries, heritage and adult learning, said in a report the current system had been in place for 30 years.

He explained that major system changes needed "downtime" periods to enable the safe and secure transfer of data as well as testing to ensure systems were working.

All book reservations will be paused from 12-22 January, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Earlier in December, West Sussex County Council said a report from the charity Libraries Connected showed that libraries in the county delivered almost £220,000 in additional value each year by supporting mental health and wellbeing.

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