Queens Public Library says ransomware took down Wi-Fi, computers and its app

Queens Public Library in New York City says a ransomware gang encrypted its systems and shut down much of its digital service. The library system, which has 66 branches, put out several alerts on Wednesday confirming the disruption was an attack, after first warning of outages that afternoon.

On-site computers, check-out and return machines, Wi-Fi access, digital media services and the mobile app are all down. The library said all locations remain open as scheduled, though some virtual and in-person programs may be affected, and that it's working with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts.

No ransomware gang had taken credit as of Thursday evening. New York City officials didn't respond to requests for comment.

Libraries have been a recurring target, and the record is worth keeping in view. The British Library had its systems destroyed in 2023, Toronto Public Library spent months recovering from an attack the same year, and a 2024 attack on Washington State's Pierce County Library System exposed the information of more than 340,000 people. Library systems hold data on local populations, which is part of why they get hit.

What's still unknown is the bigger question: whether any patron or staff data was taken. The library hasn't said, and until it does, we'd treat that silence as unresolved rather than reassuring. Anyone with a Queens card should assume nothing about their account details yet and watch for the library's own updates rather than third-party claims.