That means we're very very very carefully moving the catalog and all the records about who's borrowed what from one highly sophisticated but outdated software package (called an Integrated Library System, or ILS) to an ILS with amazing cutting edge 21st century features.

Needless to say this is a delicate and complicated procedure. It's been a dozen years since we last did this, and the staff all hope it doesn't need doing again before we retire.

If you visit today you WILL be able to borrow materials as usual. Some other library business may have to wait until tomorrow, however, because records are in transit over the data lines.

If all goes well the virtual dust will have settled by the time we open at 9 am tomorrow morning, and you'll find a new, beautiful, user friendly online catalog at www.nhclibrary.org. The staff have been training intensively on the new system all week and are ready to go, and we think you're going to like it as well as we do.

Two things for library users to notice:

Please make sure you give us your email address, because the new ILS will notify you by email when materials are ready for pickup, and it will send reminders when loan periods are about to run out.

As of tomorrow, your password for accessing your library account will default to the last four digits of your library card number. You can reset it to a password of your choice when you log in online.