The 2026 Swiss Library Statistics reveal a clear trend: libraries are increasingly investing in electronic media. At the same time, visitor numbers remain consistently high, indicating that the digitization of library offerings does not diminish the appeal of libraries as physical spaces.

More than sixty percent offer digital media

991 libraries accepted the invitation from the professional association Bibliosuisse and submitted their 2025 figures for the library statistics. That is slightly fewer than in 2024. Despite the lower participation rate, the figures allow for some conclusions to be drawn. For example, the impressive number of visits—29,334,324 in 2025—shows that libraries are valued as places to spend time. Visitor numbers have remained steady for years, despite digitization and other available options. Libraries continue to be valued as places to linger, learn, and socialize.

There has been an increase in spending on e-media. On the one hand, this can be explained by inflation: the costs of electronic media such as e-books and e-newspapers have risen. On the other hand, more and more libraries are offering such media. While 52.8 percent of institutions had e-books in their collections in 2024, that figure rose to more than 60.4 percent in 2025. For e-newspapers, there was an increase from 50.4 to 57.6 percent.

New Methodology Makes Comparison More Difficult

The data can only be compared to that of previous years to a limited extent. The Federal Statistical Office, which compiled library statistics through 2024, used statistical estimation methods. The published total figures were therefore estimates for all libraries—even if not all of them participated in the survey or provided complete data. In contrast, the current analysis by ZHAW University of Applied Sciences, commissioned by Bibliosuisse, follows a descriptive approach. The key figures are calculated directly from the validated data of those libraries that participated in the survey and provided usable information. This makes it all the more important that as many libraries as possible participate in the survey.

«We are working with great dedication to encourage libraries to participate,» says Heike Ehrlicher, director of Bibliosuisse. According to her, libraries fulfill important social functions—and the goal of library statistics is to make these functions visible through figures that are as meaningful as possible.

For more information on library statistics and a link to the detailed figures, visit https://bibliotheksstatistik.bibliosuisse.ch/.