In a bizarre turn of events, on Wednesday November 4th, New York City’s Queens Public Library (QPL) system, which operates 66 branches, experienced an attack on its online networks by a hacker. The entire system is offline, and is being held for ransom.
According to the QPL, all branches remain open, but online networks are down, resulting in disruptions to the library website, on-site computers, check-out and return machines, Wi-Fi, the library’s mobile app, and all digital media services.
It has not been disclosed what or how much the hackers are asking in return for releasing the system. It is also unknown who is behind the ransomware attack.
QPL CEO Dennis Walcott toldGothamist, “Unfortunately, it’s part of the world that we live in right now. So the Queens Public Library is a victim of the type of world that we’re living in, where people are launching cyber attacks against various types of entities, large corporations, and now Queens Public Library.”
His remark highlights the absolute strangeness of the events: the QPL is hardly a “large corporation.” In fact, it’s a very small nonprofit. It’s not even New York’s largest library system. The NYPL, which services Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, operates 92 locations. (For those wondering, the Brooklyn Public Library system operates 62 branches.)
But also… it’s alibrary system!It’s whole business is to provide widespread access to books, additional literary and media resources, internet access, printing services, education opportunities, and community and children’s programming to people. FOR FREE. What the hell type of jerk goes after a library system, especially a library system in one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse areas in the world? (As a Queens native and huge QPL fan, but also just a person who thinks books are good, I’m furious.)
Walcott also noted that it is currently unknown if user information has been compromised.
However, QPL users can still check books in and out manually (it is a library, after all). So, analog tech has saved the day.
Stay tuned for more updates, and long live libraries!