Québec, December 10, 2024. – Public libraries recorded more in-person visits (+34%) and document loans (+19%) in 2022 than in 2021, but these results remain below the pre-pandemic average (-30% for in-person visits and -11% for document loans compared with 2015–2019). That was revealed in the bulletin Les bibliothèques publiques québécoises en 2022 published today by the Observatoire de la culture et des communications of the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Percentage of the population served by a public library, number of in-person visits1 and number of loans by public libraries, Québec, 2018 to 2022
Note
1. The number of visits is based on the figures reported by independent public libraries and the Grande Bibliothèque.
Sources
Ministère de la Culture et des Communications and Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, Enquête annuelle sur les bibliothèques publiques, 2018 to 2022.
Compilation : Institut de la statistique du Québec, Observatoire de la culture et des communications du Québec.
Fewer activities and lower participation than before the pandemic
Public libraries carried out 63,100 activities in 2022, 28% less than the 2015–2019 pre-pandemic average of 87,400. About 1.1 million people took part in these activities, down 32% from the 2015–2019 average of 1.7 million.
Revenues and expenditures up
In 2022, compared with the 2015–2019 average:
- Library revenues increased 18% to $497 million in 2022.
- Operating expenditures rose 11% to $415 million in 2022.
- Investment expenditures grew 85% to $80 million in 2022.
Public libraries are present in every region
Approximately 97% of the Québec population has access to the services of a public library, which are available in every region of the province. A quarter of the population served by a library has a library card from an independent public library or a library affiliated with the BIBLIO network. On a regional level, this proportion ranges from less than 15% (12% in Laval; 13% in Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine) to 31% (Capitale-Nationale, Centre-du-Québec, Bas-Saint-Laurent).
For 25 years, the Institut de la statistique du Québec has been producing, analyzing, and disseminating official, objective and high-quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and an essential source of information for all those wishing to learn more about Québec.