The network of public libraries in Romania is extended both in the urban and rural areas, having an indisputable role for the cultural, educational and social fields. However, there was a 57% decrease in the number of active public libraries – from 4,458 in 1990 to 1,914 public libraries in 2022. This number continues to decrease, and overall, in 2022 there were 48 (2.4%) fewer active public libraries than in 2021.

The dynamic map shows the existence of active public libraries at the level of localities in Romania between 2010 and 2022, differentiating between municipalities, cities/towns and communes. The purpose of this cartographic illustration is to provide an overview of the evolution of the number of active public libraries in Romania, at the same time allowing a degree of focus on a specific year or period, and, respectively, on a geographical area, a county, a specific locality or a type of locality.

Points of analysis:

• After 2011 in particular, there is a marked declining tendency for the number of localities with an active public library, according to INS data (ART101B).
• The decrease is greater among rural public libraries (about 36% less in 2022 versus 2010), as compared to those in the urban environment (6% less in 2022 compared to 2010).
• The regions with the largest decrease in the number of active public libraries in 2022 compared to 2010 are:

• • West – 49% decrease.
  • North-West – 42% decrease.
  • South-East – 41% decrease.
  • South West – 32% decrease.

The nationwide trend is a decrease in the number of active libraries. The rate and proportion of this decrease are not the same at the level of the counties, a fact noted by comparing the counties with the help of the interactive graph. The differences also exist between neighbouring counties or counties with a similar socio-demographic and economic profile.

Points of analysis:

The biggest drops in the total number of active public libraries are noticeable in 2010 (-83), 2012 (-213), 2013 (-204) and 2020 (-134).

• Some counties lose a considerable number of libraries from one year to the next:
  • Bihor (41 active public libraries down in 2013 compared to 2012).
  • Teleorman (37 active public libraries down in 2012 compared to 2011).
  • Buzău and Caraș-Severin (28 active public libraries down in 2013 compared to 2012).
  • Timis (27 active public libraries down in 2012 compared to 2011).
  • Vrancea (25 active public libraries down in 2014 compared to 2013).
  • Constanța (21 active public libraries down in 2012 compared to 2011).

In other counties such as Mehedinți, Cluj or Dolj, the number of active public libraries decreases less sharply, but the decrease is present almost every year from 2011 to 2022.