A shake-up of library services announced in 2011 has resulted in almost 300 library closures and savings of €38m, according to RTL news. The broadcaster bases its claim on its own research.

The biggest cuts were made in Rotterdam, Arnhem, Utrecht, Sittard-Geleen and Eindhoven – in Eindhoven, nine of the city’s 10 libraries have been closed down, RTL said.

In total, the Netherlands’ local authorities have cut their budgets for spending on the arts and culture, which includes libraries, by €109m in the past five years, RTL said.