These closing times are essential for a successful changeover and the subsequent professional handling of the new software by all employees:

• a complete and error-free migration of the data (catalog data, customer data, etc.)
• Rework that is required following the migration
• the training of all employees and
• sufficient time for practicing the work processes using the new software

The fee expiry periods on the ID cards of all customers who have paid an annual fee or a three-month fee will be automatically extended by four weeks after the changeover to the new software.

From Friday, 28 February, interlibrary loan requests will no longer be possible, and from Wednesday, 19 March, 7 pm, the reservation of borrowed media and the ordering of media from branches will be deactivated for organizational reasons, so that the media can be collected before the closure if possible.

As the online catalog OPAC will also be switched off and converted, the reserve lists must be saved privately before the changeover; automatic transfer to the new system is not possible. If necessary, customers can create new watch lists in the new OPAC themselves after reopening using the saved title records. Instead of the previous 20 watch lists, there will only be one watch list in future. The loan history cannot be transferred automatically either. It will not be possible to create them manually in the same way as the watch list.

It should already be noted that the personal OPAC password will no longer work in the new system and customers will have to assign themselves a new password. The new system will automatically store an initial login password consisting of the date of birth (DDMMYYYYY). Together with the library card number, the new OPAC can be used from Tuesday, April 29. For security reasons, the password should then be changed.

The provision of almost all of the city library's other online services is only possible or useful when using the library software.

At first glance, they are not directly affected by the switch to new library software, such as borrowing e-media and using  Digibib (opens in a new tab), for which library customers still usually have to authenticate themselves with their library card number and password. As the passwords cannot be transferred to the new software, this also means new authentication in the digital services. For eLibrary customers in particular, this means major restrictions: the loss of loans, watch lists and especially existing reservations. The City Library very much regrets this restriction. Customers are asked to save their watch lists in advance if necessary, as reservations cannot be technically transferred.

During the changeover phase of the library software, restrictions are therefore also to be expected for the City Library's online services. The city library cannot reliably say when exactly which of the services will still or once again function. For various reasons, this could even vary depending on the customer card.

During the closure period, no events will take place and there will be no opening of the premises, as this would not be feasible in terms of organization or staffing. This applies to all City Library facilities without exception.

The city library asks for your understanding for the closure and the restrictions and hopes to be able to welcome all customers again afterwards.