Young readers rule when it comes to library lending

Almost 20 million items are borrowed from Ireland’s 333 public libraries annually. Children’s books account for 75% of the titles on the recently released list of the 100 most borrowed books in Irish public libraries in 2017. Jeff Kinney’s Wimpy Kid books claimed the top 6 spots on the list with 6 of David Walliams’ books in the top 20 list. Jeff Kinney has proved extremely popular with younger readers having dominated the top 10 list since 2011.

Most borrowed books in Irish public libraries in 2017
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down by Jeff Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: the Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School by Jeff Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Demon Dentist by David Walliams
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Awful Auntie by David Walliams

For the third year in a row, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins was the most borrowed adult book in Irish public libraries and the only adult book to make the top 10 list. Irish authors continue to be popular with Irish readers with 7 of the top 10 adult books being by Irish authors.

Most borrowed adult books 2017
Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Holding by Graham Norton
Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent
Night School by Lee Child
Echoland by Joe Joyce
The Reunion by Rosin Meaney
The Missing Wife by Sheila O’Flanagan
The Husband by Deirdre Purcell
The Whistler by John Grisham
Secrets of a Happy Marriage by Cathy Kelly