The Leipzig City Libraries' (LSB) balance sheet for 2024 shows a clear trend: digital services are becoming increasingly popular. Virtual visits increased by an impressive 23 percent, while on-site visitor numbers remained stable. In total, the LSBs recorded an impressive 5,551,044 visits, during which 4,896,574 items were borrowed, an increase of around three percent. This is mainly due to the growing demand for the libraries' online services.
The importance of library services is also underlined by the increased use of library cards, which has risen by five percent. The LSB also drew a positive conclusion as an event venue: with a total of 2,401 events, an audience of 56,630 guests was reached.
Successes and challenges
Library Director Susanne Metz looks back on an eventful year: "2024 was a year full of challenges, successes and shared moments for us. We were able to welcome the people of Leipzig to our libraries with new services." Highlights included the performance of Mozart's "Ganz kleine Nachtmusik", the opening of the "Library of Things" and the launch of the "small mobile library".
Work was carried out at the branches and the city library to beautify and improve the quality of stay. More space and newly designed rooms should appeal to visitors even more. However, the libraries also had to say goodbye temporarily: The Südvorstadt library closed on November 1 for urgently needed renovation work. After around two years of construction, the building is set to reopen.
Outlook to 2025
The LSB is planning exciting projects for the coming year. The 2025 theme year "More than a story. Book City Leipzig" is coming up. With the "Library of Languages", the library is collecting foreign-language books with personal messages. The opening is planned for April 4, accompanied by the first nationwide "Night of the Libraries". Readings, music and much more will keep guests entertained until late in the evening. In addition to the city library, the Gohlis, Grünau-Mitte, Mockau, Plagwitz, Reudnitz and Schönefeld locations will also be open. Camping enthusiasts can even stay overnight in the Gohlis library.
Further plans such as the expansion of the event areas in the city library, the continuation of the "Library of Things" and the expansion of the LeipzigZimmer in the district libraries are in the pipeline. "Many ideas are still waiting to be implemented. We hope that we can continue to maintain our services in the best quality," concludes Metz.
