About Sentolib - European Library Visitor Research Since 2022
The story behind the study
Sentolib was born from a concrete need in the library world. Libraries in Belgium were looking for a shared study that would allow them to benchmark their results - in support of local library advocacy and funding initiatives. Through VVBAD, in collaboration with the University of Antwerp and Sento, this initiative took shape. The great success of the study quickly led to similar interest and needs across borders. Today, 1,250+ libraries across Europe use Sentolib to understand their members and visitors, demonstrate their impact, and make better decisions.
Looking for how it works? Visit the Details page →How Sentolib started and grew
Sentolib started in 2022 as a practical answer to the need for accessible, reliable visitor research for libraries. What began as an initiative in partnership with academic researchers quickly grew into a recurring European measurement instrument.
A Belgian pilot with 150 libraries
Before the European launch, Sentolib was tested in a large-scale pilot study in Belgium. In collaboration with VVBAD and the University of Antwerp, 150 libraries took part. This pilot confirmed the methodology and laid the groundwork for the 2024 European edition.
Two successful editions across Europe
The first editions of Sentolib in 2024 and 2025 were a major success. More than 1,250 libraries across Europe took part, together reaching more than 200,000 respondents. With academic partners in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain, Sentolib showed that standardised, low-threshold visitor research is possible at scale.
Sentolib becomes a permanent instrument
Following the success of the 2024 edition, Sentolib was made permanently available, so that libraries can carry out audience research whenever it best suits them. The results were presented at the EBLIDA Conference in Riga (April 2025). In January 2025, Sentolib also partnered with the World Land Trust to protect 164,271 square metres of threatened habitats - a commitment to sustainability alongside knowledge. In 2025, Sentolib grew into the standard for libraries to better understand their audiences, learn from one another, follow trends and ground policy in up-to-date data.
Sentolib becomes freely accessible
A free participation plan is introduced to make audience research accessible to every library. New countries join the network. New features launch: short thematic studies, dynamic audio interviews and expanded benchmarking capabilities.
Team & academic partners
Sentolib is supported by a consortium of researchers at seven European universities, together with national library associations.
Prof. Dr. Annick Schramme
9 Researchers
Sector partners
Team Sento
Presentations & media
From the pilot study in Belgium to the EBLIDA Conference in Prague and growing media attention across Europe.
Prof. Dr. Annick Schramme
2024 - Study day after the pilot study
Francis De Bonnaire
EBLIDA Conference, Prague 2026
Sentolib in the media
External coverage and partner announcements across Europe.
Sentolib: unparalleled engagement
The European library federation mentions Sentolib as one of its leading sector initiatives.
Sentolib European audience study - results and future
1,000+ libraries, 200,000+ respondents in 7 countries; Sentolib becomes permanently available.
Sentolib European audience research - results and future
VOB reports on the Sentolib results and the evolution towards a permanent study.
Sentolib 2025 - register now
The French library association invites libraries to register for the 2025 edition.
Sentolib surveys 150,000 visitors in 1,000 libraries
Press release from the French-speaking Belgian library association.
Sentolib audience research
The Austrian public library association publishes multiple Sentolib updates.
Sentolib continues
German sector platform confirms continuation and links to the results webinar.
Online seminar: introduction to the Sentolib survey
Regional NRW webinar introducing the Sentolib study for German libraries.
Opportunity to participate in the Sentolib audience study
Press release from a German state government on participation in Sentolib.
Sentolib audience study - public survey
French-speaking Swiss library federation announces Sentolib participation.
Library support Canton Aargau - Sentolib
Swiss canton offers coordinated support for participation in Sentolib.
Sentolib - the results
Brussels library network publishes local Sentolib results.
Audience research Sentolib
Dutch library group publishes participation figures per branch.
Results of the audience survey
State and University Library Bremen publishes its Sentolib results.
DPR Libraries 2025
Sector report references the Sentolib impact model.
Sentolib - European library research 2024 (PDF)
European Sentolib report: countries, methodology, benchmarking and roadmap.
+ more - sector publications in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Canada and beyond
What participants say
Feedback from libraries that have participated in Sentolib.
The study was indeed well received and is very valuable to us; we received comments that we certainly want to take into account - and with which we can further optimise the library.
We certainly get starting points to refine our strategy. In the dashboard, I saw for example that opening hours on Wednesdays would be opportune. Something I had long suspected.
Ah great, then I am reassured! And indeed, the planned deadline makes sense for us.
Thank you so much for the landing page, that fits perfectly for us. That is wonderful.
Sentolib gives us concrete insight into how our visitors experience the library and what they take away from it. The benchmark with other libraries makes our own results much more meaningful.
Thank you for the report - it contains a wealth of information that I'm eager to put to work within our organisation.
I wanted to thank you for the quality of your support and the consistently thoughtful answers to our many questions.
My neighbour is a sociology professor and praised the well-constructed questionnaire. Thank you for your work.
The Library Board expressed how beneficial it was for a small public library to take part in a national and international public library survey and to be able to compare with European library services.
Libraries already participating
A selection of over 1,250 participating libraries across Europe. Browse alphabetically or use search. The list is updated regularly.
Want to join these libraries?
Start with a free membership and gain in-depth insights into your library's audience, experience and impact.