It took me four years of living 12 minutes away from Battersea Library to eventually register as a member. Despite its octagonal turret and red brick exterior, the 19th-century building was, embarrassingly, no match for the apps sucking my attention towards my phone.

Libraries of all sizes needed new places for their materials when wholesaler Baker & Taylor closed late last year, and vendors are trying to meet the demand.

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.