Statistics on Libraries: 2025
In 2025, Malta’s public libraries experienced a decline in book acquisitions, book loans and new members compared to 2024. Book acquisitions by public libraries amounted to 38,548, down by 10.0 per cent when compared to the preceding year. This decrease was mainly driven by a reduction in the acquisition of printed books through donations and purchases, which declined by 5,401 books (21.0 per cent) and 394 books (3.5 per cent), respectively. On the other hand, the acquisition of eBooks increased by 1,494 books, or 25.5 per cent. Total book loans, including eBooks, decreased by 0.6 per cent over the preceding year. This decrease resulted from declines in loans from the Central Public Library in Malta (6.5 per cent) and regional libraries in Malta (9.2 per cent). Conversely, loans increased in branch libraries in Malta (0.2 per cent) and in Gozo (6.5 per cent), at the Central Public Library in Gozo (17.8 per cent) and for eBooks (7.9 per cent) (Table 1, Chart 1).
During 2025, 7,380 persons became new members of public libraries, a decrease of 7.2 per cent when compared to the preceding year. As in 2024, just over half of these new members (54.3 per cent) were under the age of 18, although this share declined slightly in 2025 (Table 2, Charts 2 & 3).
When considering only printed books, the Southern Harbour, Northern Harbour and South Eastern districts registered decreases in the total number of books loaned from public libraries in their respective localities. The Northern Harbour district recorded the largest decrease, at 9.3 per cent. This was mainly driven by decreases in loans in Msida (65.8 per cent), Tas-Sliema (52.6 per cent), Ħal Qormi (19.5 per cent) and Birkirkara (14.0 per cent). On the other hand, the Western, Northern and the Gozo and Comino districts registered increases in the total number of books loaned from public libraries in their localities. The Gozo and Comino district recorded the highest increase, at 9.7 per cent. Increases in book loans were observed in Qala (55.3 per cent), Żebbuġ (33.0 per cent), Victoria (17.8 per cent), Ta’ Sannat (16.5 per cent), Xewkija (11.4 per cent), Għajnsielem (9.1 per cent) and Nadur (8.0 per cent) (Table 3).
The number of books and periodicals received by the National Library of Malta under legal deposit amounted to 1,538, an increase of 30.3 per cent when compared to 2024. As in previous years, the number of books exceeded the number of periodicals received (Table 4).
Statistics on Libraries: 2025
- Total book loans in 2025, including eBooks, stood at 706,275, a decrease of 4,124, or 0.6 per cent, over the preceding year.
- The Northern Harbour district recorded the largest decline in book loans, down by 9.3 per cent, while the Gozo and Comino district registered the largest increase, rising by 9.7 per cent.
- Public libraries recorded 7,380 new memberships in 2025, 7.2 per cent fewer than in the preceding year.
Statistics on Libraries: 2025
Methodological Notes
1. Malta Libraries is the public entity which took over the functions of the Libraries Department in 2011. It is responsible for the Malta and Gozo National Libraries, the Central Public Library, the Regional Libraries, the Branch Libraries and the Gozo Public Libraries. Of the 56 public libraries across Malta and Gozo, it is the Central Public Library in Floriana and the Gozo Central Public Library in Rabat (Gozo) that hold the largest collections, along with the other 7 Regional Libraries and 47 Branch Libraries.
2. The Regional Libraries are located at Birgu, Birkirkara, Luqa, Mosta, Raħal Ġdid, Qormi and Rabat. Like the Central Public Library, these libraries open daily and their main purpose is to extend the Central Public Library’s main services around Malta. The Branch Libraries are situated in several towns and villages throughout the island. These are usually located either in state schools or in the respective Local Councils. They offer the same collections as those of the Central Public Library and Regional Libraries, but on a much smaller scale. Each Branch Library has its own specific opening hours schedule that mainly suits the needs of the town/village in question.
3. With reference to Table 2, from 2019 the new members in the Intermediate 14-17 age group are calculated by taking into account the enrolment of secondary school students as part of the migration process of school libraries onto the Malta Libraries platform.
4. Definitions
● An e-book is defined as a recognizably “book-like” publication made available in a digital format. This electronic reading material can be accessed, read, and borrowed on any screen-enabled device, such as smartphones, tablets and computers.
● A periodical is defined as any continuously published material issued at regular or stated intervals. This includes magazines, newspapers, and scholarly journals
5. A detailed news release calendar is available online.
