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A cybersecurity attack is causing ‘significant’ system outages for the Boston Public Library

“Thank you for your patience as our team and law enforcement officials work to restore our digital services and protect the library from future attacks."

The Boston Public Library. Blake Nissen/ For The Boston Globe

August 27, 2021

1 minute to read

The Boston Public Library is working to restore its digital services after being hit by what officials say was a cybersecurity attack.

According to the library, the institution began experiencing a system-wide technical outage on Wednesday morning due to the attack, which has affected public computer and printing services and online resources.

“Affected systems were taken offline immediately, and proactive steps were taken to isolate the problem and shutdown network communication,” the library said in a statement. “There is currently no evidence that sensitive employee or patron data has been disclosed.”

The library is working with law enforcement and the Mayor’s Department of Innovation and Technology to address the attack, while the institution’s IT department works on restoring services.

All library locations remain open, and patrons are able to check out books, according to the library. Some online resources are available.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this outage may have caused patrons,” Kurt Mansperger, chief technology officer for the library, said in a statement. “Thank you for your patience as our team and law enforcement officials work to restore our digital services and protect the library from future attacks.”