An unprecedented number of children and young people are members of the public library

An unprecedented number of children and young people are members of the public library. And the number of activities organised by libraries also increased to almost 398 thousand. This is according to the annual library figures published today by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and the KB on September 11.

In 2024, 2.4 million children and young people under the age of 18 were library members. That is 73% of all Dutch youth. Membership amongst young adults up to the age of 30 also increased. This grew the total membership to over 3.7 million in 2024. Over one in five Dutch residents was a library member in 2024.

Klaas Gravesteijn, director of the Dutch Association of Public Libraries (VOB): "Libraries are managing to engage and attract a record number of young people. This is quite an achievement considering we live in a time when smartphones and social media demand more and more attention from young people. We want to reach all children, in the neighbourhood and at school. Our collection, cultural offerings, creative labs and study spaces make libraries indispensable for the development of our youth." 

Minister Moes (Education, Culture and Science): ''I am incredibly pleased that the number of young people and children who are members of a library has grown so quickly. Reading is essential to everything you do. Whether it concerns school, further education or finding your place in society. Libraries play a central role in reaching young people across the country for reading pleasure and reading skills."

More activities, more employees and more volunteers

In 2024, libraries once again organised more activities, nearly 398 thousand. This is an 18% increase compared to the previous year. In particular, activities around education and development grew significantly. These include courses on digital skills, meetings to practise language, and activities around media and digital literacy. There were over 5.4 million participants. All of that proofs that libraries are increasingly fulfilling their role at the heart of communities: as places where learning, reading, culture and connection come together.

The activities were possible due to the effort and dedication of some 8.3 thousand  employees (+4%) and almost 28 thousand volunteers (+6%). Thanks in part to their contribution, the number of organised activities and the broad scope of services is increasing. This enhances the significance of libraries within society even more.

Growth of the Online Library

Online access to libraries is also popular. In 2024, around 5.8 million e-books (+5%) and over 2.6 million audiobooks (+14%) were borrowed via the Online Library. Digital usage is structurally higher than before the COVID pandemic.

About the annual library figures

The KB annually gathers library data as part of its obligations under the Public Library Provisions System Act (Wsob). The research took place for the 10th time. The KB cooperates with the VOB (Dutch Association of Public Libraries), the CBS (Statistics Netherlands), the SPN (Foundation of Cooperating Provincial Support Institutions)  and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW).

The figures are presented in the form of a dossier, a dashboard and an infographic. A short English summary of the study has also been published.