Huddersfield's main lending library is to close for at least a month for urgent repairs.

And when the lending library re-opens next month, bookworms will find a new DIY system in operation.

Visitors will be able to check out or renew their books using three new self-serve machines which have been successfully trialled in other Kirklees library and Information Centres at Rawthorpe/Dalton, Birkby/Fartown, Chestnut Centre, Thornhill Lees, Greenwood Centre and Marsden.

Staff will be on hand to help library users get used to the new technology.

The lending department will close for a month on Saturday for work totalling £59,000. This will allow new equipment to be installed and flood damage, caused earlier this year, to be repaired.

The flooding had damaged electrical systems and other parts of the building.

The closure will start at 4pm on Saturday and the lending department will then re-open on Monday, October 21.

In a major reshuffle , the audio-visual material, CDs, DVDs, Talking Books and music scores will be moved onto one floor in the Lending Library meaning that the public will only need to visit one department to browse all the lending material.

The new self-service machines will free up library staff to help the public with enquiries and be more of a presence out on the ‘shop-floor.’

A new self-service machine is also to be installed in the Children’s Library but the closure of this department will be shorter as it doesn’t need the same amount of building improvement.

The Children’s Library will close at 7pm as usual on Friday, October 11, and will re-open to users on Tuesday, October 15.

The public access computer area in the Reference Library is to be updated and this will mean the closure of this section from Saturday, October 12, at 4pm to Wednesday, October 16.

The Local Studies Department, West Yorkshire Archives, Kirklees Transcription Service, Visitor Information and the Art Gallery will be unaffected.

Council staff are to provide a mobile library service which will be available on the Piazza every morning and for some afternoon sessions during the closure period. The library has leaflets detailing more information.

Borrowers with books due back between Monday, September 23, and Saturday, October 19, may take these back to other libraries or, along with people who wish to use a computer, telephone 01484 221960 first.

Groups due to meet at the library during the closure period will be given alterative accommodation.

Books can be renewed by telephone or online at www.kirklees.gov.uk/libraries<http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/libraries