Public libraries

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Public libraries
Periods Number of libraries (number) Libraries by membership fee Total number of libraries (number) Libraries by membership fee Membership fee < 15 euros (number) Libraries by membership fee Membership fee 15 - 20 euros (number) Libraries by membership fee Membership fee 20 - 25 euros (number) Libraries by membership fee Membership fee 25 euros and more (number) Libraries by membership fee Other form of membership fee (number)
2022 excl.* 137 137 . . . . .
Source: CBS.
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

Number of libraries
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.
Total number of libraries
Membership fee < 15 euros
Membership fee 15 - 20 euros
Membership fee 20 - 25 euros
Membership fee 25 euros and more
Other form of membership fee
Libraries which only charge an annual membership fee in combination with a lending fee per volume.