The libraries will be operating in analog for the foreseeable future as CPL assesses the cyber breach. Some of its systems ‘have been compromised,’ it said
Calgary Public Library locations will reopen in analog form on Wednesday following a cyber breach that shut down the library’s 22 locations late Friday evening, the library said Monday morning.
CPL has not publicly diagnosed the nature of the security breach that, by Wednesday, will have closed its locations for five days. It said Monday that “some of our systems have been compromised” and that its security team is working to complete a thorough investigation.
“While many services will not be available during this process, we are committed to providing critical access to Library spaces,” it wrote.
When libraries reopen on Wednesday, users will be able to access the library spaces and services that don’t require technology.
As such, patrons will be limited to 10 items per checkout and collection browsing will have limited access. Study areas and drop-in meeting rooms will also be limited.
The only programs that will continue are those that don’t require technology, such as Family Storytime, Baby Rhyme Time and Reading Buddies.
But a number of services, all of which require technology, will be unavailable for the foreseeable future, CPL said.
Book returns will be unavailable and return dates will be extended “until further notice.” All technology access, including printing, Chromebooks, computer access, internet and Wi-Fi, will be down, as will digital library and eResources with the exception of Libby and Kanopy.
Online room booking and program registration will also be shuttered for the foreseeable future.
“We hope to restore all services as soon as it is safe to do so,” CPL wrote, adding that further updates will be posted to calgarylibrary.ca when they’re available.
CPL is Canada’s third library system that has been hacked over the past year.
Earlier this spring, a hacker demanded ransom money after obtaining data from a server used by libraries throughout British Columbia. A system manager said the leak was limited and no ransom was paid.
A similar incident also closed Toronto Public Library services last year, stranding over a million books in the sorting process and shuttering the system needed to cycle books on and off shelves.
More to come…
— With files from The Canadian Press