MOSSELBAAI NEWS - The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport in the Western Cape issued a statement regarding libraries on Friday, 9 December.
Library material can still not be taken out. Books and so forth can only be returned.
There is a computer problem with libraries throughout the Western Cape, which has resulted in this problem.
The statement noted: "The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport SLIMS database has been unavailable since 15 November 2022 due to the Virtual Machine Operating System failing because of a storage failure.
"The back-ups for the SLIMS database for the months of June to October 2022, and a part of November 2022 are all corrupt and unrecoverable.
"This system failure has a huge and ongoing impact on the service delivery to all public library users in the Western Cape."
A meeting was held with provincial staff, municipal library managers and public library staff last week and the following contingency plans have been put in place:
- All public libraries will remain open and continue to serve the public. Access to internet services and WiFi remains available. Some libraries may need to close for a few of days to put the systems in place as agreed on at the meeting.
- All public libraries will make use of the standardised form created to capture issues and returns either manually, or electronically.
- Patrons can access all library material through the Libby App. Refer enquiries to your local library should you have issues accessing the app.
- All books will remain in circulation and not kept on a return shelf until the system comes back online.
- New library memberships will be accepted at all public libraries.
- The strategy regarding fines generated after 15 November will be communicated.
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