New York City's Queens Public Library (QPL) is battling a ransomware attack, it confirmed on Wednesday evening via social media and to patrons directly.
The disruption has downed QPL's website, on-site computers, check-out and return machines, its public Wi-Fi, mobile app, and its digital media services.
Renewals are also unavailable, although library users are not charged fines for returning materials late. (Since 2021, In October 2021, QPL, Brooklyn Public Library, and New York Public Library - in an effort to help lower income users from being put off borrowing - permanently killed daily late fines on books and circulating materials.)
Each of the library system's three branches remains open, including the central library in the Jamaica neighborhood in Queens, but QPL warned: "it will take some time before the library's network and systems are restored."
QPL said "certain virtual and in-person programs may be impacted," advising visitors to check availability with their local branch via phone, and check the library's social media channels for official updates.
"Our IT department is working to resolve the issue, and we will keep you informed,” it said in the statement. It added: "We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience."
No established ransomware group has yet claimed responsibility for the disruption, although attacks on publicly funded institutions rarely lead to lucrative payouts.
The British Library's infamous ransomware attack in 2023 at the hands of Rhysida saw the organization refuse to pay the criminals' 20 Bitcoin ransom demand, opting instead to drain its cash reserves and fork out millions for an IT rebuild.
Although the library's response to the attack drew widespread praise, few institutions of its kind are in a financial position to follow its lead. Other libraries might not be willing or able to commit to a recovery period as lengthy as that of the British Library.
In its 2025/26 annual report, published in July, the institution said its recovery is still incomplete, and work to fully restore customers' ability to purchase electronic resources, such as journals and research databases, and reopen access to electronic legal deposit content is ongoing.
This is likely to be completed by the end of 2026, the British Library added. ®