Lists & Rankings: UK: The Most Borrowed Books and Authors 2009-2010; Most Borrowed vs. Most Bought (1999-2009)

From a Public Lending Rights News Release (2 pages; PDF):

Seven British children’s writers are among the Top 10 Most Borrowed Authors in UK libraries [Mid 2009 – Mid 2010], according to the latest annual data released today by Public Lending Right (PLR). They are Daisy Meadows, the brand behind the “Rainbow Magic” series (2nd); former champion lender Jacqueline Wilson (4th); Francesca Simon, author of the “Horrid Henry” series (5th); Mick Inkpen (6th); Julia Donaldson (7th); Lauren Child (9th); and “Horrible Histories” author, Terry Deary (10th). This is the highest number of children’s writers to appear in the Most Borrowed Authors Top 10 since PLR records began over twenty years ago, demonstrating the crucial role libraries play in encouraging children to read. Children’s borrowing has been on the rise for the past six years, with almost 80% of 5-10 year olds now using our public libraries.
Children’s writer, Julia Donaldson, author of the Most Borrowed Children’s Title, The Gruffalo, and 7th in the Most Borrowed Authors list says of the latest data: This just shows how much children need, and are entitled to libraries and librarians. It’s how they find out which books they like best and develop a love of reading.
With over 2 million loans, prolific American writer James Patterson is the UK’s Most Borrowed Author for the fourth year running, the PLR data shows. He is one of five writers to clock up over a million loans in UK libraries between July 2009 and June 2010. The only other adult writers to make The only other adult writers to make the Top 10 Most Borrowed Authors list are also American: novelists Nora Roberts (3rd), and Danielle Steel (8th).
The UK’s Most Borrowed Book was Swimsuit by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. The UK adult borrowing public appears hooked on gritty crime novels and thrillers, with all of the Top 10 Most Borrowed Books belonging to those genres. US writers dominate, with Lee Child and Ian Rankin the only British authors represented.

Rankings for a few categories including cooking, holidays, pets. humor, and health can be found in this PDF.
The Guardian has analysis as well as the Top 250 Borrowed Authors and Top 250 Borrowed Titles
See Also: Most Borrowed vs Most Bought 1999 – 2009
See Also: Jacqueline Wilson is the Most Borrowed Author of the Last Decade
See Also: Chart toppers
See Also: Most borrowed authors (National List + by Region)
See Also: Most borrowed titles (Top 400)

Filed under: Data Files, Libraries, News, Public Libraries, Resources