About Sentobib
The European library audience study
Sentobib is a large-scale, scientifically grounded visitor & member research programme for libraries across Europe. Built in collaboration with a consortium of 7 universities and supported by leading library organisations, it helps libraries understand who their visitors are, how they experience the visit, and what impact the library has on their wellbeing — all through a low-threshold, affordable methodology.
On this page you will find everything about the study: its history and origins, the European report, presentations and media coverage, testimonials from participating libraries, and a full list of libraries that have already taken part.
libraries across Europe
university partners
countries
visitor responses
History
History of Sentobib
Sentobib started as a practical idea: make it easy for libraries to gather robust visitor & member feedback and translate it into clear learnings. In close collaboration with VVBAD, cult!, OP/TIL and the University of Antwerp, a pilot study was launched with a broad group of libraries in Belgium.
The pilot confirmed the value of a low-threshold method that still delivers depth: visitors were highly satisfied, and libraries gained concrete evidence about experience, service and societal impact. The workshop day that followed helped participants turn insights into actionable priorities.
After the pilot, Sentobib grew into a European study with strong response rates and wide library participation across Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Austria, Italy and Spain — with the United Kingdom and further countries added in 2026. Today, Sentobib can be used as an ad hoc measurement or as a permanent tool to support decision-making, positioning and impact conversations with stakeholders.
European report
European report of Sentobib
Open the latest European report and explore how libraries use Sentobib to understand visitors, service quality and societal impact.
Presentations & Media
In the spotlight
From the pilot study in Belgium to a session at Bibliothek Connections Paris and a growing body of media coverage — here is how Sentobib is making its mark in the library world.
Pilot study
Where it all started
Prior to the European roll-out, a pilot study was conducted in collaboration with VVBAD, cult!, OP/TIL and the University of Antwerp across 150 libraries — representing a cross-section of the library landscape: small and large institutions and diverse library types.
Prof. Dr. Annick Schramme (University of Antwerp) led the academic side of the study. A workshop day was organised for participating libraries to present results and guide teams in turning insights into concrete actions.
Sergio Servellón
VVBAD — Belgian Library Association
"This research is a fantastic opportunity for libraries to get to know and engage their audience through a low threshold methodology. Sentobib gave us detailed feedback about the library and is very useful in our daily operations. Benchmarking with other libraries was extremely interesting.
The study also demonstrated the importance and very positive impact of the library on the well-being of our visitors, and is a great tool for us to substantiate conversations with our stakeholders."
Sentobib at Bibliothek Connections Paris 2026
Francis De Bonnaire represented Sentobib during an audience studies session at Bibliothek Connections Paris 2026, focused on how libraries can move beyond attendance metrics and better measure the value of the visitor & member experience. Sentobib contributes with a low-threshold and scientifically grounded approach that helps libraries translate visitor & member feedback into clear priorities and impact narratives.
Quick info
Event: Bibliothek Connections Paris 2026
Speaker: Francis De Bonnaire
Topic: Audience studies & visitor & member experience
Tool: Sentobib
Media
Sentobib in the media
External coverage and partner announcements about Sentobib across Europe.
Testimonials
What libraries say
Laurine, Van Gogh Library
"The report feels valuable from the very first read. It surfaces insights on themes we do not measure ourselves, and the benchmarking gives the results the context we need to act on them."
Antje Lehmann, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
"We found the dataset and reports extremely useful. The study is rich, engaging, and full of actionable information, especially for a network of libraries that needs shared insights and clear comparisons."
Amsterdam Library
"Sentobib provides meaningful input for our own audience research approach. The results help sharpen our internal research model and translate visitor & member feedback into clear learnings."
"This research is a fantastic opportunity for libraries to get to know and engage their audience through a low threshold methodology. Sentobib gave us detailed feedback about the library and is very useful in our daily operations. The study also demonstrated the importance and very positive impact of the library on the well-being of our visitors, and is a great tool to substantiate conversations with our stakeholders."
Viviane Dierickx — Bibliothecaris, Bibliotheek van Genk
Libraries
Libraries that already participate
Browse libraries alphabetically. Use search or jump by letter. Each name links to the library website.