How many books per household in Britain?

Question

I couple of years ago I read a report in the press of the number of books owned by different households (what percentage have ten books, what percentage 500, etc.) Does anyone know a source for these statistics (or similar), or perhaps remember the figures?

Answer 1

I can't help you with finding the statistics, but I have about 2,000 books - and regularly donate to Cancer Research UK

Actually - now I've thought about it - you might find something useful here http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/Research/researchindex3.html

especially this section http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/Database/Mori.html

Answer 2

I have more books than I can count. I never throw a book away. because a book is a thing of beauty and pleasure for ever. They are in every room and I have a large old six bed roomed house, with an out-building the same size. They are all cataloged and I can find a book within a couple of minutes. I doubt that every house hold is as crazy as me or has as much room as me, but I am sure that there are lots of others like me.

Answer 3

I think there are two reliable sources for this type of information.

The first of these is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) factbook released 30th March 2006. You could buy this or it should be at your local reference library, but you can also find bits of it dotted around the web if you look hard enough. (See link 1)

The second is the Magenta Book which compiles all sorts of date to allow the UK Government to analyse and decide policies. Again, you can buy, borrow, or find bits on the web (See link 2)

Answer 4

I did a count recently for insurance purposes and it came to just under 8000 books all over the house. But I go to other people's houses and they have hardly any books. My parents had ONE book, an out of date Pears Cyclopedia. So how do you find out?

Answer 5

I have around 300 books now and I just got rid of some

Answer 6

well I am a casual reader and have about 200