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Historic record at Madrid’s libraries: more than 1.5 million loans in half a year
Libraries in the Community of Madrid are going through a golden period. In just the first six months of 2025, more than 1.5 million books have been loaned, an unprecedented figure that marks a turning point in the use of the public reading system. The data confirm that reading habits are not only being maintained but are growing strongly in the digital age.
One of the keys to this leap has been the consolidation of the Carné Único, in force since the end of 2024, which allows any user to access more than 200 libraries and millions of documents with a single card. The result: more than two million people in Madrid now enjoy streamlined access, both in physical rooms and through the eBiblio platform, which handles most digital loans.
Literary tastes also reflect the diversity of the public. From Javier Castillo's thrillers to illustrated youth series such as Superpatata and Doraemon, via popular non-fiction such as Irene Vallejo's El infinito en un junco, demand combines bestsellers, classics and new voices. Audiobooks, moreover, are consolidating their place among those who prefer to listen to stories on the move.
The regional government maintains annual investment of several million euros in acquisitions and technological resources, ensuring renewed collections and more modern services. Added to this are more than 1.6 million in-person visits so far this year, which confirm libraries not only as lending places but as living cultural centres, open to students, families and curious people of all ages.