A NEW IT system is causing problems for library users in Dorset and beyond.

The system, which manages library stocks, lending, borrowing histories and more, has been installed at hundreds of outlets which are part of the LibrariesWest group.

LibrariesWest consists of around 170 libraries operated by councils in Bath & North East Somerset, BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole), Bristol, Dorset, North Somerset, Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

They include libraries in Wimborne, Blandford, Colehill, Ferndown, Verwood, Wareham, Corfe Mullen, Swanage and dozens more.

However, in recent weeks, people trying to return or check out books, or perform other actions, have found the system not working, including crashing or freezing.

One user in Somerton, in South Somerset, said: “Any other members of LibrariesWest having problems ordering books online since the computer ‘upgrade’?

“I just get a message telling me there’s an error connecting to the server.”

Self-service library machine like this one in Swanage are having problems after the new computer system was installed

Responding to the problems, LibrariesWest said: “As you are aware, we have been having repeated issues with our new Library Management System running slowly, crashing and generally not performing as we would expect.

“We appreciate this is causing significant disruption in using our services and we would like to apologise to you for the negative impact this is having on your customer experience.

“The LibrariesWest team are actively working on these issues and are in daily contact with our new supplier to find solutions.

“This new website will allow us to deliver more features and improve the service to our customers over time.

“Progress so far includes starting to restore the loan history.

“We are also in the process of reinstating the pre-overdue & overdue notifications. Thereafter, text and email notifications for customer reservations will follow.”

It added: “Thank you for your continuing patience and understanding while we continue to implement and improve our new system.”

LibrariesWest changed supplier for its computer systems this year, with the new system being rolled out to more than 160 libraries in May, and completed on June 7.

However, the group said as the migration of ‘non-critical’ data continuing, it had been made aware of “performance and stability issues”.

“This new website will allow us to deliver more features and improve the service to our customers over time,” it said.

“At this time, we are focusing on ensuring that the website is stable and has a solid foundation for us to develop on.”

For more on LibrariesWest and updates on the new system, log on to librarieswest.org.uk.