British Library Grapples with Ongoing Cyber Attack, Digital Services Disrupted

The British Library finds itself in the midst of a significant technological crisis, as a cyber attack that occurred nine days ago continues to wreak havoc on its digital infrastructure.

The attack, which struck on October 31, has caused extensive disruptions to the library’s online systems and services, affecting its website and certain on-site amenities, including Wi-Fi connectivity. The physical library building, however, has remained open to the public.

A spokesperson for the British Library confirmed that they are actively collaborating with the National Cyber Security Centre and cybersecurity specialists to address the situation and expedite the restoration of services. Nevertheless, the extent of the disruption is anticipated to persist for several weeks.

Despite the digital challenges, the British Library’s physical locations remain accessible to the public, offering a range of services:

• Reading Rooms continue to be available for personal study.
• Access to collection items ordered into the Reading Rooms on or before October 28 is still feasible.
• A limited manual ordering process for collection items is available in London, using printed catalogs for items located in St Pancras.
• Reader Registration is ongoing, and temporary passes are being issued, offering different levels of access for both new and returning readers.
• The library’s cafes, restaurant, and shops are operating normally, with cafes and the restaurant accepting card and cash payments. The shop and bookshop are currently accepting cash only, although card transactions can still be processed through the online shop.

All scheduled public events, including the “Fantasy: Realms of Imagination” exhibition, continue as planned, with tickets available for purchase on-site using cash.

The Family Station, as well as educational courses and events, remain unaffected by the ongoing situation.

For business support, the Business and IP Centre at St Pancras remains open, with services and events available both online and in-person at regional libraries across the UK.