Security incident releases some Bellingham library patrons’ data

Bellingham Public Library has reported a data breach affecting “a limited number” of patrons, part of a recent attack on the Whatcom County Library System, city officials said Thursday, July 21.

“A recent data breach affecting Whatcom County Library System’s computer networks also resulted in the unauthorized downloading of some Bellingham Public Library patron data. No data was downloaded directly from Bellingham Public Library or city of Bellingham computer systems,” said Janice Keller, the city’s communications director. A total of 735 Bellingham Public Library patrons are affected, Keller said in the emailed statement.

“Our library and city teams, in collaboration with Whatcom County Library System, are working swiftly to address this incident and take all necessary and required steps to address it. The investigation into this incident is ongoing,” she said. Bellingham Public Library has some 89,898 total accounts, Keller said. There are about 60,000 active card holders, according to the library website.