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
- 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.
In 2024, a total of 54.3 million physical materials were lent out. In 2023, this number was 56.9 million. In the data for 2023 and previous years, several libraries incorrectly included loans of books owned by schools rather than by the library organization. These primarily involve books for young people. When considering only the group of 114 libraries where loans were accurately reported, allowing for a valid comparison between 2023 and 2024, the decline in the number of physical materials loaned was somewhat smaller.
- 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.