KB’s reach among academic researchers increases 

Compared to two years ago, the awareness and use of the KB has increased among researchers in the humanities and social sciences. This is according to measurements by market research companies Motivaction and Dialogic.  

Usage figures 

In 2023, the KB's reach among researchers was surveyed. This study was repeated in 2025 and included issues such as awareness of the KB, its various services, membership and reach. All these metrics showed an increase. The most frequently used services remain DBNL (Digital Library for Dutch Literature), used by 41% of researchers, and Delpher at 42%.  

Awareness of services 

Many researchers are familiar with at least one KB service, but the open-ended responses show that many services remain relatively unknown. There is an obvious need for more and clearer information about all the various possibilities. This will allow researchers to use the KB's services more optimally in their own fields. It is partly for this reason that the KB now offers a monthly workshop in which participants can get better acquainted with the KB's digital resources and search systems. 

Martijn Kleppe, the KB's Board of directors’ member responsible for Research & Discovery: "We are proud to offer collections and services for so many researchers in the humanities and social sciences. At least 79% of researchers are familiar with what we can offer, and two out of three use our services. This demonstrates the importance of our services and collections in helping researchers with their teaching and even scientific and academic breakthroughs."