Officials Removing Library Computer Virus

Officials say they should be able to correct by early next week the problems caused by a computer virus that has infected some databases in the Los Angeles Public Library.

The virus has affected an online reference system known as the Virtual Library since Feb. 12, denying patrons at 18 of the city’s 66 branch libraries access to databases ranging from periodicals to investment information, said Bob Reagan, a library spokesman.

“We don’t know how the virus got in there,” Reagan said Wednesday. “It could have been from someone’s disc that carried the virus. We have no reason to believe it was done on purpose, although that is a possibility.”

Reagan said service has been restored to three of the 18 affected branches and full service should be restored within a few days. He said precautions have been taken to prevent a future infection of the system.