Calgary Public Library shuts down amid cybersecurity breach

All Calgary Public Library (CPL) locations were temporarily closed on Friday, October 13, following a cybersecurity breach that compromised some of the library’s systems, according to an announcement on its website. A spokesperson said the library took swift action, closing its physical branches at 5 p.m. to mitigate any potential damage caused by the hack.

In a statement, CPL emphasized that "data security is a key priority," and their security team is working to determine the extent of the breach. The library assured the public that they are actively investigating the situation and will provide updates on the closures as more information becomes available.

As of Sunday morning, no updates have been provided regarding the hack’s status, and the library continues to assess the breach’s extent. The Calgary Public Library, which serves the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is one of North America’s largest public library systems, with numerous branches throughout the city.

To accommodate library users, all holds on borrowed items have been extended. However, the library has not scheduled when branches will reopen. Specific details about the breach have not been disclosed, but CPL has stated that its security team is diligently assessing the situation.