14 March 2006
For the third year running, Jaqcueline Wilson is the most borrowed author in UK Libraries.
As announced by the PLR (Public Lending Right), Jacqueline Wilson still holds the crown over the romantic fiction writer Catherine Cookson, who previously held the top spot of the lending charts for 17 years.
Other writers in the top ten included John Grisham, Ian Rankin and Bernard Cornell. But there was bad news for JK Rowling who was way down the list at 74.
PLR registrar, Jim Parker said: “It’s useful at a time when Jacqueline Wilson is children’s laureate because she does so much for libraries and young people, our figures can demonstrate her popularity as a writer.”
Jacqueline Wilson commented that she was, “Thrilled by the PLR’s news. So many kids are now spending time in libraries. It’s a tribute to all the hard work of many people and to the success of initiatives, such as the Bookstart scheme, who have encouraged so many kids into libraries at an early age.”
As well as Jacqueline Wilson, other authors have been credited for the success of their books. Among these are Patricia Cornwell’s “Blow Fly” – UK’s most borrowed title, JK Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix” – top lending children’s fiction. Also, Bill Bryson’s “A Short History of nearly everything” – most borrowed non-fiction, closely followed by Gillian McKeith’s “You are what you eat”.
For further information about popular books available at your library and lending services, please contact your local Blaenau Gwent Library.
