Public libraries
Explanation of symbols
Dataset is not available.
This table presents an overview of the number of public libraries, the number of volumes in collections, the number of volumes lent out to the public, registered users, the staff working for public libraries and their operating costs and revenues.
Data available from: 1999.
Status of the figures:
The figures for 2022 are preliminary. All other figures are final.
Changes as of 15 September 2023:
The final figures for 2021 have been published.
The preliminary figures for 2022 have been added.
When will new figures be published?
Preliminary figures for 2023 and final figure for 2022 will be published in July 2024.
Description topics
- Registered users
- Memberships linked to a person. From 2015 onwards, users of mobile libraries are included in this number. Collective memberships (schools, homes for the elderly, etc.), trial subscriptions, and/or other fixed places where books can be lend, are excluded.
- Total registered users
- Young people =< 17 yrs
- Adults >=18 yrs
- Libraries by membership fee
- The annual membership fee, if no other costs are charged.
For the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 there are no figures on the annual membership fee due to a lack of quality in the underlying data. From 2008 onwards information on the annual membership fee is no longer gathered.- Membership fee 25 euros and more
- Operating costs and revenues
- Operating revenues excluding withdrawals from reserves and negative balances.
Operating costs excluding transfers to reserves and positive balances.- Revenues
- Excluding withdrawals from reserves and negative balances.
- Grants and contributions
- Total grants and contributions
- Grants/contributions from municipalities
- Grants/contributions from provinces
- Other grants and contributions
- Costs
- Excluding transfers to reserves and positive balances.
- Administration and ICT