In September 2025, the Dutch National Budget for 2026 was presented. This traditionally took place on the day of the State Opening of Parliament, the third Tuesday of September. We’ve summarised what it included about culture, heritage and libraries.
Libraries and Reading Promotion
The Public Library Facilities System Act (Wsob) was introduced in 2015. This act ensures that libraries work together as an organised network. The KB has a leading role in this network. The Wsob is being amended to establish a legal duty of care for municipalities and provinces. The amendment to the act will most likely be published in 2026.
The focus on reading promotion will not only be limited to libraries. The Dutch Foundation for Literature will also get additional structural funding. This organisation's responsibilities include reading promotion and literature education, the literary festival and the Museum of Literature. Education will also receive additional resources to promote reading. It was previously announced that the temporary grant for the Library at School will be converted into structural funding.
Culture and heritage
The budget identifies culture as an indispensable part of a democratic society. The Ministry states that its aim is to create a strong cultural and creative climate. "[...] the cultural and creative sectors contribute to the earning power and competitiveness of the Netherlands. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science contributes to the cultural climate with grants for the basic infrastructure (BIS) and the national cultural funds."
It also mentions the work being done to digitize the cultural sector (e.g. museums, archives and libraries), including through the Dutch Digital Heritage Network (NDE), of which the KB is also a member.
Science
Structural funding for scientific education and research will continue. Open science is a priority for the cabinet, and they support this as standard for knowledge institutions. The KB contributes to open science by making open scientific and academic resources easier to find and use.
