Public libraries
Explanation of symbols
Table explanation
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 2024 are preliminary. All other figures are final.
Changes as of 11 September 2025:
The final figures for 2022 and 2023 have been published.
The preliminary figures for 2024 have been added.
When will new figures be published?
Preliminary figures for 2025 will be published in September 2026, as well as the final figures for 2024.
Description topics
- 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