Public libraries
| Periods | Registered users Total registered users (x 1 000) | Registered users Young people =< 17 yrs (x 1 000) | Registered users Adults >=18 yrs (x 1 000) | Operating costs and revenues Revenues Revenues from users (mln euro) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 excl.* | 3,605 | 2,286 | 1,319 | 49.4 |
| Source: CBS. | ||||
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
- 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
- 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.
- Revenues from users
- Membership fees plus the fees for lending items of the collections.