History of IT in the University of Sussex Library


University of Sussex Website
1997 The first instance of the website that we have access to comes from 11th December 1997. A nice touch is the Sussex experts section, which gives a subject database of Sussex academics' specialities for easy access media requests.
1999 The next iteration of the Sussex website looks more modern and features the first occurrence of The Pier; which was an internet directory with a variety of links out to useful sites and resources for Sussex students and staff.
2001 The website front page is now refreshed and the The Pier has now been merged into the the Library website
2004 The website becomes more visual as we go through time, with more pictures being added as internet speeds increase. This is evidenced by the panorama images in the Campus tour section of the site
2009 The 2009 website is recognisable, as some design elements are still in operation certain parts of our current site in 2018. The University began promoting itself and sharing news on Twitter in early 2009 and had 1,691 followers by that September, currently there are over 67k followers!
Library Website
1998 This first instance of the Library’s website has lots of useful functions (not all operable now), including: a list of new book additions, an online enquiry service and information about the code of practice (the perennial problem of eating in the Library was evident in 1998!)
2000 The new look website featured an Interactive Library Tour (sadly no longer working), and a comprehensive A-Z. The Library Catalogue is still viewable although it no longer resolves
2004 The Library and the Pier are now combined. The Search Internet link takes you to a list of recommended search engines and how they work, an interesting snapshot of the proliferation of search engines before Google became all powerful
2010 The Library went through a big refurbishment in 2010 and this is promoted on the website – the Bolthole is closed and there is no more smoking on the Library steps. The beginning of SRO is also promoted with 50 new theses added as Open Access titles


How to read the old punch cards