Toronto Public Library restores services after ransomware attack

Several services at the Toronto Public Library (TPL) will resume this week following a major ransomware attack last October.

The library has restored its borrowing services, including circulation of existing and new materials, as well as storage services, TPL said in a press release Monday.

“Shelves in branches will look much fuller in the coming weeks,” it said in a statement on Monday, adding that more than a million items would be back in circulation.

The library says patrons will be notified by phone or email on Tuesday of the delay, which is now available.

In addition, the library says it is unable to access the catalog and online customer accounts. These services are expected to resume later this month.

Canada's largest public library system suffered a major cyber security attack in October, compromising all systems and technology at more than 100 branches. The library previously believed the attack exposed the names, social security numbers, government identities and addresses of employees dating back to 1998.

The library also said on February 5 that it restored public computer workstations equipped with Internet and Microsoft software to all 100 branches.