GITNUXREPORT 2025

Library Statistics

Libraries worldwide thrive digitally, economically, and serve diverse community needs.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global e-book industry generated around $20 billion in revenue in 2023

Statistic 2

90% of librarians believe that library technology is essential for expanding access to resources

Statistic 3

The global audiobooks market is expected to reach $4.7 billion by 2024

Statistic 4

Over 40% of library websites feature multilingual interfaces to serve diverse communities

Statistic 5

Over 300,000 library workers are employed in North America

Statistic 6

Over 2.7 billion physical items are held in public libraries worldwide

Statistic 7

The digital collection of libraries has grown by over 200% in the last decade

Statistic 8

70% of public libraries in the US offer digital e-book lending services

Statistic 9

The global library market is valued at approximately $72 billion

Statistic 10

55% of university students report that libraries are their primary resource for research

Statistic 11

Libraries contribute approximately $24 in economic value for every dollar spent on them

Statistic 12

75% of library users have used online databases for research purposes

Statistic 13

95% of library collections worldwide are stored in digital format or have digital copies

Statistic 14

The typical library offers around 60,000 items, including books, magazines, and digital resources

Statistic 15

In 2022, the average library collection size in European countries was approximately 150,000 items

Statistic 16

The average cost per digital download (e-books, audiobooks) is around $4.50

Statistic 17

Nearly 80% of library budgets are allocated to collections, staffing, and technology upgrades

Statistic 18

Over 50% of school libraries in the U.S. have integrated coding and robotics into their curricula

Statistic 19

Nearly 90% of academic libraries worldwide subscribe to at least one electronic database

Statistic 20

The average wait time for new book acquisitions in major libraries is around 3 months

Statistic 21

Libraries contribute roughly $100 billion annually to the U.S. economy through employment and services

Statistic 22

The average library collection growth rate is approximately 3% annually

Statistic 23

The percentage of library content available through open access repositories has increased by 50% since 2015

Statistic 24

At least 15% of library collections are now dedicated to multimedia resources like DVDs, CDs, and digital files

Statistic 25

The United States has approximately 9,300 public library outlets

Statistic 26

The average library budget per capita in the US is about $46

Statistic 27

More than 70% of public libraries offer free Wi-Fi access

Statistic 28

About 45% of libraries worldwide participate in interlibrary loan programs

Statistic 29

The number of library branches in Canada increased by 2% over the last five years

Statistic 30

The global library automation market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% through 2027

Statistic 31

58% of libraries globally provide access to maker spaces and innovation hubs

Statistic 32

Libraries contribute to reducing dropout rates in schools by providing after-school programs, according to studies showing a 12% decrease

Statistic 33

About 33% of library websites are optimized for mobile access

Statistic 34

The majority of library patrons (around 65%) rely on public libraries for access to free internet

Statistic 35

More than 45% of libraries globally have adopted eco-friendly building practices

Statistic 36

The number of rural libraries in the U.S. increased by 5% between 2015 and 2020

Statistic 37

On average, Americans visit public libraries 10.5 times per year

Statistic 38

An estimated 60% of library users are between the ages of 18 and 34

Statistic 39

65% of library users check out digital content at least once a month

Statistic 40

Over 20% of library visitors are children under 12

Statistic 41

The average time spent by students in college libraries per visit is approximately 45 minutes

Statistic 42

82% of libraries in the UK offer digital literacy programs

Statistic 43

Over 80% of public libraries in Australia offer community learning programs

Statistic 44

The number of library visitors in Japan exceeds 330 million annually

Statistic 45

Nearly 50% of all library patrons access their library's digital catalog via mobile devices

Statistic 46

Libraries help save communities an estimated $1.5 billion annually in police and social work costs

Statistic 47

64% of Americans aged 16 and over used a public library in 2021

Statistic 48

Over 1 billion people access library services through online platforms annually

Statistic 49

The average number of visitors per day in the largest urban libraries is around 3,000

Statistic 50

Over 40% of libraries worldwide are involved in community health initiatives, such as vaccination drives and health education

Statistic 51

The number of digital library users increased by 150% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 52

91% of librarians agree that library services are vital for fostering lifelong learning

Statistic 53

Public libraries in the U.S. have seen a 25% increase in digital circulation since 2018

Statistic 54

82% of librarians report increased demand for virtual programming during the pandemic

Statistic 55

Library memberships have increased by 15% in the last five years in several European countries

Statistic 56

The average age of registered library users globally is approximately 38 years old

Statistic 57

Over 60% of public libraries in low-income communities offer free digital training workshops

Statistic 58

The total number of library cardholders in the U.S. exceeds 200 million

Statistic 59

The number of smartphones used to access library resources worldwide has increased by 120% over the past five years

Statistic 60

73% of library users utilize social media platforms to discover new resources and programs

Statistic 61

During the last decade, the number of library physical visits in Germany declined by 10%, while digital usage increased significantly

Statistic 62

80% of community libraries worldwide provide some form of digital literacy training

Statistic 63

68% of public libraries in Asia-Pacific nations offer STEM-based programs for youth

Statistic 64

The average number of book loans per capita in Scandinavian countries is approximately 10 per year

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Sources

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Key Highlights

Over 2.7 billion physical items are held in public libraries worldwide
The United States has approximately 9,300 public library outlets
On average, Americans visit public libraries 10.5 times per year
The digital collection of libraries has grown by over 200% in the last decade
70% of public libraries in the US offer digital e-book lending services
The global library market is valued at approximately $72 billion
An estimated 60% of library users are between the ages of 18 and 34
Over 300,000 library workers are employed in North America
The average library budget per capita in the US is about $46
The global e-book industry generated around $20 billion in revenue in 2023
90% of librarians believe that library technology is essential for expanding access to resources
More than 70% of public libraries offer free Wi-Fi access
65% of library users check out digital content at least once a month

With over 2.7 billion items housed worldwide and a rapidly expanding digital presence, libraries continue to evolve as vital hubs of knowledge, community, and innovation—witnessing a global renaissance driven by technological growth and changing user needs.

Digital Transformation and Multilingual Services

The global e-book industry generated around $20 billion in revenue in 2023
90% of librarians believe that library technology is essential for expanding access to resources
The global audiobooks market is expected to reach $4.7 billion by 2024
Over 40% of library websites feature multilingual interfaces to serve diverse communities

Digital Transformation and Multilingual Services Interpretation

With the e-book and audiobook markets booming and nearly all librarians recognizing technology's vital role, libraries are transforming from quiet book repositories into dynamic, multilingual gateways to global knowledge, proving that in the digital age, access truly is everything.

Geographical and Regional Distributions

Over 300,000 library workers are employed in North America

Geographical and Regional Distributions Interpretation

With over 300,000 library workers in North America, these silent yet vital stewards of knowledge remind us that even in a digital age, the true power of information still depends on dedicated hands behind the desk.

Library Collections and Digital Resources

Over 2.7 billion physical items are held in public libraries worldwide
The digital collection of libraries has grown by over 200% in the last decade
70% of public libraries in the US offer digital e-book lending services
The global library market is valued at approximately $72 billion
55% of university students report that libraries are their primary resource for research
Libraries contribute approximately $24 in economic value for every dollar spent on them
75% of library users have used online databases for research purposes
95% of library collections worldwide are stored in digital format or have digital copies
The typical library offers around 60,000 items, including books, magazines, and digital resources
In 2022, the average library collection size in European countries was approximately 150,000 items
The average cost per digital download (e-books, audiobooks) is around $4.50
Nearly 80% of library budgets are allocated to collections, staffing, and technology upgrades
Over 50% of school libraries in the U.S. have integrated coding and robotics into their curricula
Nearly 90% of academic libraries worldwide subscribe to at least one electronic database
The average wait time for new book acquisitions in major libraries is around 3 months
Libraries contribute roughly $100 billion annually to the U.S. economy through employment and services
The average library collection growth rate is approximately 3% annually
The percentage of library content available through open access repositories has increased by 50% since 2015
At least 15% of library collections are now dedicated to multimedia resources like DVDs, CDs, and digital files

Library Collections and Digital Resources Interpretation

With over 2.7 billion items and a global valuation soaring to $72 billion, libraries have evolved from quiet book sanctuaries to digital powerhouses—where every dollar spent unlocks $24 in economic value, and a majority of users tap into their digital treasures, proving that in the age of information, libraries are both timeless and ahead of the curve.

Library Infrastructure and Accessibility

The United States has approximately 9,300 public library outlets
The average library budget per capita in the US is about $46
More than 70% of public libraries offer free Wi-Fi access
About 45% of libraries worldwide participate in interlibrary loan programs
The number of library branches in Canada increased by 2% over the last five years
The global library automation market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% through 2027
58% of libraries globally provide access to maker spaces and innovation hubs
Libraries contribute to reducing dropout rates in schools by providing after-school programs, according to studies showing a 12% decrease
About 33% of library websites are optimized for mobile access
The majority of library patrons (around 65%) rely on public libraries for access to free internet
More than 45% of libraries globally have adopted eco-friendly building practices
The number of rural libraries in the U.S. increased by 5% between 2015 and 2020

Library Infrastructure and Accessibility Interpretation

Even as libraries expand their digital and eco-friendly horizons and rural branches grow modestly, their steadfast role as community hubs—offering free Wi-Fi, fostering innovation, and supporting education—reminds us that in the age of instant information, they remain an indispensable gateway to knowledge and inclusion.

User Engagement and Usage Patterns

On average, Americans visit public libraries 10.5 times per year
An estimated 60% of library users are between the ages of 18 and 34
65% of library users check out digital content at least once a month
Over 20% of library visitors are children under 12
The average time spent by students in college libraries per visit is approximately 45 minutes
82% of libraries in the UK offer digital literacy programs
Over 80% of public libraries in Australia offer community learning programs
The number of library visitors in Japan exceeds 330 million annually
Nearly 50% of all library patrons access their library's digital catalog via mobile devices
Libraries help save communities an estimated $1.5 billion annually in police and social work costs
64% of Americans aged 16 and over used a public library in 2021
Over 1 billion people access library services through online platforms annually
The average number of visitors per day in the largest urban libraries is around 3,000
Over 40% of libraries worldwide are involved in community health initiatives, such as vaccination drives and health education
The number of digital library users increased by 150% during the COVID-19 pandemic
91% of librarians agree that library services are vital for fostering lifelong learning
Public libraries in the U.S. have seen a 25% increase in digital circulation since 2018
82% of librarians report increased demand for virtual programming during the pandemic
Library memberships have increased by 15% in the last five years in several European countries
The average age of registered library users globally is approximately 38 years old
Over 60% of public libraries in low-income communities offer free digital training workshops
The total number of library cardholders in the U.S. exceeds 200 million
The number of smartphones used to access library resources worldwide has increased by 120% over the past five years
73% of library users utilize social media platforms to discover new resources and programs
During the last decade, the number of library physical visits in Germany declined by 10%, while digital usage increased significantly
80% of community libraries worldwide provide some form of digital literacy training
68% of public libraries in Asia-Pacific nations offer STEM-based programs for youth
The average number of book loans per capita in Scandinavian countries is approximately 10 per year

User Engagement and Usage Patterns Interpretation

With Americans visiting public libraries more than ten times annually—primarily digitally in a global shift accelerated by the pandemic—these institutions have become vital community hubs, fostering lifelong learning and health initiatives, especially among young adults and low-income groups, all while navigating the digital divide and declining physical visits in some regions.