The British Library is navigating a challenging period marked by recovery efforts following a major cyberattack and ongoing internal staff tensions. Jeremy Silver, a tech entrepreneur and former chief executive of Digital Catapult, was appointed interim director last November amid institutional turmoil. The cyberattack, believed to have been perpetrated by the ransomware group Rhysida and occurring two years earlier, crippled the library’s computer systems, blocking access to its catalogues and digital services for users worldwide.

The attack effectively disabled the access layer to the British Library’s 170 million-item collection, disrupting customized systems designed to handle its highly specialized holdings. Silver described the incident as “catastrophic,” noting the extensive bespoke nature of the library’s digital infrastructure complicated efforts to restore services. At the time, the library was already grappling with other challenges, including leadership changes and strained staff relations.

Former director Roly Keating departed after 12 years in charge, during which the cyberattack took place. His successor, Rebecca Lawrence, recruited from the Crown Prosecution Service as chief executive, resigned within the year amid criticism over the library’s ongoing technical difficulties. Staff frustration over the inability to provide proper services, combined with concerns over low pay and a mistrust of management, led to multiple strikes involving hundreds of employees.

Since assuming leadership, Silver reports significant progress in restoring services. A new catalogue system launched in December has replaced the offline platform, offering enhanced search capabilities, richer metadata fields, and integrated book-ordering and delivery functions. The system has handled approximately 700,000 searches to date, signaling a substantial improvement. However, other key digital resources, such as the UK Web Archive—a collaborative effort among the six UK and Ireland legal deposit libraries—remain offline, with a full return to service anticipated by the end of the year. The library also aims to restore access to tens of thousands of digitized manuscripts and educational materials within the next 6 to 12 months.

Cybersecurity remains a critical focus for the library. Silver acknowledged that although numerous defensive measures had been planned, the attack occurred before their implementation. He emphasized the inherent vulnerability of institutions providing extensive online access, citing comparable cyberattacks on major commercial entities. “If you are in the business of making things available online to people, there will inevitably be a degree of vulnerability,” he said.

Addressing staff morale and pay demands remains a significant concern. Silver acknowledged the difficulties employees have faced, particularly frontline staff who have engaged in industrial action. Negotiations are ongoing, with hopes voiced for more open, effective dialogue to resolve outstanding issues amid economic constraints.

Funding pressure adds further complexity. The library’s government grant currently stands at £136 million annually, a figure two-thirds of what was allocated two decades ago when adjusted for inflation. Silver emphasized the necessity of prioritizing core services to maintain the library’s status as a leading institution. A major practical challenge involves managing physical and digital acquisitions. The library reportedly acquires enough printed materials annually to fill eight kilometers of shelving and adds about one petabyte of digital data each year—a volume it currently struggles to fully process.

While not yet fully recovered, the British Library under Silver’s interim leadership is moving toward stabilizing its operations and upgrading its systems, against a backdrop of institutional and financial pressures that will require careful navigation in the years ahead.