Public libraries

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Periods Number of libraries (number) Volumes lent out to the public Total volumes lent out to the public (x 1 000) Volumes lent out to the public Sheet music (x 1 000) Volumes lent out to the public Magazine single issues (x 1 000) Volumes lent out to the public Other material (x 1 000) 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)
2023 excl.* 133 56,790 42 2,360 . 133 . . . . .
Source: CBS.
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 2023 are preliminary. The figures for 2022 are revised preliminary, since further research is needed in regard to the financial variables. All other figures are final.

Changes as of 12 September 2024:
The revised preliminary figures for 2022 have been published.
The preliminary figures for 2023 have been added.

When will new figures be published?
Preliminary figures for 2024 will be published in September 2025, as well as the final figures for 2022 and 2023.

Description topics

Number of libraries
Volumes lent out to the public
Total number of volumes lent out to the public by libraries, excluding mobile libraries and excluding e-books. More information on the digital public library can be found here in the table explanation.
From 2006 onwards there are no figures on other material due to a lack of quality in the underlying data. Between 2006 -2022 there were no figures on magazine single issues. In 2008 libraries adjusted their reported data on volumes lent out to the public for the number of extensions of items already lent out. Because of this the number of volumes lent out to the public is somewhat lower than would have been the case without the adjustment.
Total volumes lent out to the public
The sum of volumes lent out to the public of the sub collections books (excluding e-books), sheet music, audiovisual materials, magazine single issues and other collections.
From 2006 onwards other materials are not included in total volumes lent out to the public. Between 2006 -2022, magazine single issues were also not included.
Sheet music
Magazine single issues
For the years 2006-2022 there were no figures on magazine single issues due to a lack of quality in the underlying data. Figures on this topic have been added again in 2023.
Other material
From 2006 onwards there are no figures on other collections due to a lack of quality in the underlying data.
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.