The ‘most borrowed statistics’ are compiled by the PLR Office from data provided by library services around the country. The Top 10 National List of Most Borrowed Titles and Authors below is compiled using the Top 100 titles from each of the public library authorities. The data below are from October 2009.
Most Borrowed Titles in October 2009
1. Official Driver Theory Test – Prometric/Road Safety Authority
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – J K Rowling
3. The Lost Symbol – Dan Brown
4. Brooklyn – Colm Toibin
5. Heart and Soul – Maeve Binchy
6. Happy Ever After – Patricia Scanlan
7. Horrid Henry and the football fiend – Francesca Simon
8. Once in a Lifetime – Cathy Kelly
9. Horrid Henry’s Stinkbomb – Francesca Simon
10. My sister Jodie – Jacqueline Wilson
Once again, The Official Driver Theory Test is our nation’s most borrowed item, for the eighth time this year.
The popularity of Colm Toibin is reflected in his No 4 position for his widely acclaimed novel Brooklyn and Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code, makes a welcome first appearance in our Top 10 for his latest publication The Lost Symbol.
Most Borrowed Authors in October 2009
1. Francesca Simon
2. Jacqueline Wilson
3. Daisy Meadows
4. JK Rowling
5. James Patterson
6. Maeve Binchy
7. Stephenie Meyer
8. Jodi Picoult
9. Dav Pilkey
10. Darren Shan
The Horrid Henry series goes from strength to strength with Francesca Simon topping the poll for the tenth successive month this year.
The influence of the Children’s Books Festival (held in October) on loans data can be seen by the presence of Francasca Simon, Jacqueline Wilson, Daisy Meadows, JK Rowling, Jodi Picoult, Dav Pilkey and Darren Shan in the Top 10. Only Maeve Binchy and James Patterson could be classified as authors catering for the adult market.