GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Library Book Count Statistics

The average number of books held in a library, calculated by summing the product of the number of books in each category and its corresponding weight or probability.

Last Updated: June 20, 2024

Written & Summarized by: Jannik Lindner

How we write

In this post, we explore the vast world of library collections by delving into statistics from various renowned libraries around the globe. From the extensive holdings of the Library of Congress to the specialized collections of institutions like the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford, the numbers behind these repositories highlight the incredible diversity and scale of knowledge housed within libraries worldwide.

Statistic 1

"There are over 170 million items in the Library of Congress, including books, maps, photographs, and recordings"

Statistic 2

"The New York Public Library holds over 51 million items"

Statistic 3

"The Harvard Library holds over 20.4 million volumes"

Statistic 4

"The Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries hold over 13 million printed items"

Statistic 5

"The Cambridge University Library holds over 9 million physical items"

Statistic 6

"The average number of books read by library members in Wales in 2020 was 20"

Statistic 7

"The Dublin City Public Libraries hold over 500,000 books"

Statistic 8

"The National Library of Australia holds approximately 10 million items"

Statistic 9

"The National Library of Scotland holds over 24 million printed items"

Statistic 10

"The Toronto Public Library holds over 10.5 million items"

Statistic 11

"The Royal Danish Library holds over 5 million books"

Statistic 12

"The Huntington Library in California holds over 9 million items"

Statistic 13

"The total number of items (including books) loaned worldwide by libraries in 2015 was 6.5 billion"

Statistic 14

"The Amsterdam Public Library holds over 1.5 million books"

Statistic 15

"Chicago Public Library holds over 5.6 million books"

Statistic 16

"The Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest population of any publicly funded library system in the United States, and housing a collection of almost 6 million books"

Statistic 17

"Libraries in the United States house over a billion books"

Statistic 18

"The Library of Alexandria was estimated to have held 400,000 – 700,000 scrolls"

In conclusion, the statistics presented illustrate the vast and diverse collections held by libraries around the world, ranging from millions of items in renowned institutions like the Library of Congress and the New York Public Library to smaller yet significant collections in local libraries. The sheer number of books and other materials housed by libraries globally reflects the ongoing importance of these institutions in preserving knowledge and providing access to information for diverse audiences. The statistics highlight the significant role that libraries play in society, serving as vital resources for education, research, and cultural enrichment.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik is the Co-Founder of Gitnux and has been working in the digital space since 2016. He is specialized in content and tech.

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The statistics are checked by us and then entered into the database. Our market data reports have been linked to by some of the largest publishers and companies on the Internet.

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