Total book loans from libraries in Malta stood at 910,976 in 2017, an increase of 66,378 over the preceding year according to the National Statistics Office.

"The most significant increases in book loans were registered by public libraries in the South Eastern and Northern districts (19.4 and 19.2  per cent respectively). The public libraries in Żejtun, Qrendi, Marsaxlokk, Gudja  and Mqabba registered  increases of over 20 per cent. While the libraries in Żurrieq and Birżebbuġa reported the highest drops in book loans, equivalent to 7.4 and 2.2 per cent respectively, when compared to 2016 levels."

The highest increases in book loans in the Northern district were registered in Għargħur and Mosta,

In 2017, book acquisitions amounted to 45,991, up by 2.1 per cent when compared to the preceding year. Book purchases and donations to public libraries increased by 6.1 and 1.1 per cent respectively. The main source of acquisition continued to be book donations which made up nearly three out of four book acquisitions

Last year, the number of books and periodicals received by the National Library of Malta under legal deposit reached 1,340, an increase of 30.7 per cent when compared to 2016