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- calendar_today October 20, 2026
Public Library Visits in Québec on the Rise
Québec public libraries reported more than 25 million visits in 2024, reflecting a five per cent increase compared to 2023, according to new data from the Institut de la statistique du Québec. Despite this growth in library visits, both attendance and library loans remain below pre-pandemic averages.
Comparing Current and Pre-pandemic Numbers
The increase in visits is a positive sign for public library attendance, but the numbers still lag behind earlier benchmarks. Visits in 2024 are 11 per cent below the average recorded from 2015 to 2019. Similarly, library loans totaled more than 52 million in 2024—a modest 0.2 per cent increase from the previous year, though still 13 per cent beneath pre-pandemic levels.
User Access and Registration Trends
Access to quebec public libraries remains widespread. In 2024, 97 per cent of Québec’s population had access to a public library. However, library user registration statistics show that registered users represented just 27 per cent of those served, indicating room for growth in membership engagement.
Growth in Library Programming and Activities
The province's library programming continues to expand. Public libraries organized 88,228 library activities in 2024—an increase of 10 per cent from 2023 and one per cent above the pre-pandemic average. These activities attracted 1.6 million participants, a six per cent increase from the previous year but still short of the pre-pandemic participation average of 1.7 million.
Financial Overview: Revenue and Expenditures
Total library revenue across Québec public libraries reached $580 million in 2024, while library expenditures were reported at $470 million for operating costs. These figures provide important insights for municipal library planning throughout the province, including regions such as Montréal and the West Island, although the data does not break down results by individual library branch.
Conclusion: Progress Toward Recovery
While public library attendance and related metrics in Québec have improved in 2024, they have yet to return to the prepandemic levels seen from 2015 to 2019. Trends in library visits, library loans, and library programming show encouraging growth, underscoring the ongoing efforts of public libraries to serve communities across the province.
Source: Institut de la statistique du Québec: Public-library attendance in 2024, October 19, 2026
Source: westislandblog.com.
