Vienna, May 4, 2026
Public libraries in Austria set a new record last year with over 29 million loans.
Rising Usage and Expanding Offerings
The number of visits to Austrian libraries increased by 4.6 percent compared to the previous year, reaching nearly 11 million. At the same time, more than 1.3 million people participated in around 58,000 events organized by the libraries. Children and teenagers were particularly well-represented: over 36,000 of the offered events specifically targeted those under 14.
The Austrian Library Association (BVÖ) sees these figures as proof of the enduring importance of libraries as cultural and educational hubs. Despite a slight decline in locations by 3.4 percent since 2019, usage has risen significantly. Currently, there are 1,344 library locations in Austria.
Municipal Libraries as Pillars
More than three-quarters of all library locations in Austria are municipal or combined facilities. These not only account for 77.4 percent of all locations but are also responsible for 86.4 percent of all book loans. The growing demand is also reflected in staffing: the number of employees in public libraries increased by 7.9 percent.