Calgary Public Library forced to limit services after cyberattack

Calgary residents will have limited access to services at their local libraries following a cyberattack on the city's public library system.

The organization, which runs 22 branches for the city’s 1.3 million residents, first notified the public of issues on Friday — warning that a “cybersecurity breach” compromised some of its systems. 

The library closed early on Friday and all servers or library computers were turned off. On Monday, the library said all locations will be open for regular hours by Wednesday but service will be modified. Customers “will have access to Library spaces and services that do not require technology.”

In a longer statement posted to the organization’s website, Calgary Public Library said it is experiencing a “significant service disruption” due to the cyberattack and the IT team is working to contain the attack while an investigation is conducted. 

No locations are able to facilitate book returns and all due dates for borrowed items will be extended. All technology and digital services, including computer access, printing, WiFi and more will remain unavailable. 

The digital library and eResources tools will also be offline for the time being. Customers also cannot book rooms online or register for programs. 

The library did not say when they expect services to return to normal, only writing that they “hope to restore all services as soon as it is safe to do so.”

On Tuesday, the library posted on Facebook that several previously-scheduled events will still go forward. 

The library and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security did not respond to requests for comment about whether they are dealing with a ransomware attack. 

Due to the crucial services they provide to communities, libraries have faced an increasing number of attacks by ransomware gangs over the last two years. 

Seattle Public Library and the British Library were both devastated for weeks after ransomware attacks limited the services they could offer.

In Canada specifically, the library systems of major cities like Toronto and London were impacted by ransomware incidents that cut off WiFi access, limited digital libraries and caused a range of other issues. 

The attack on the Toronto Public Library was so damaging that its administrator said in an update in December 2023 that it “remains a crime scene” due to the amount of personal stolen data and the impact on communities for whom the library provides internet access.