An Ode to the Library
"I have always imagined Paradise as a kind of library." ~ Jorge Luis Borges
I seem to spend the large majority of my time in libraries, so in celebration of these wonderful havens, here are 10 interesting facts about libraries:
1.
Jacob Grimm, Philip Larkin, Casanova, David Hume, Jorge Luis Borges, and Lewis Carroll all worked as librarians.
2.
James Patterson is the most borrowed author from libraries; unsurprising given that he released 15 books in 2014 alone.*
3.
The world's largest paid fine for an overdue library book is $345.14 (£203.29). It was for the poetry book Days and Deeds checked out of Kewanee Public Library, Illinois, USA in April 1955, and returned 47 years later.**
4.
Roald Dahl is the most borrowed classic author, followed by Enid Blyton, and Agatha Christie.*
5. The highest library is on the 60th floor of the JW Marriott Hotel at Tomorrow Square in Shanghai, China. It is 230.9 m (757 ft 6 in) high.**
6.
The top two most borrowed books in 2014/15 were both by Lee Child: Personal at number one, and Never Go Back at number two.*
7. The record for the largest collection of privately owned books goes to John Q. Benham of Avoca, Indiana, USA. He has over 1.5 million books.**
8.
In the travel and holiday genre, the most borrowed book for 2014/15 was Lonely Planet Italy, but it only came top in London. The most borrowed in this category in Scotland was Edinburgh for Under Fives; in Wales it was Insufficiently Welsh; and in Yorkshire North York Moors & Yorkshire Wolds.*
9.
The most stolen book from libraries is reportedly the Guinness Book of Records.
10.
Despite dying in 1998, Catherine Cookson remains the UK's most borrowed author over the past 20 years: her books have been borrowed over 32 million times between 1995 and 2015. Jacqueline Wilson is the most borrowed children's author over this period.*
Although not strictly about libraries, an honourary mention goes to the winner of a 2010 survey of books left behind in Travelodges in Britain: Simon Cowell: The Unauthorized Biography.**
Let me know any interesting facts I missed!
*UK library borrowing statistics from the 2014-15 survey conducted by Public Lending Right.
**Facts and figures from the Guiness Book of World Record's website.
I seem to spend the large majority of my time in libraries, so in celebration of these wonderful havens, here are 10 interesting facts about libraries:
1.
Jacob Grimm, Philip Larkin, Casanova, David Hume, Jorge Luis Borges, and Lewis Carroll all worked as librarians.2.
James Patterson is the most borrowed author from libraries; unsurprising given that he released 15 books in 2014 alone.*3.
The world's largest paid fine for an overdue library book is $345.14 (£203.29). It was for the poetry book Days and Deeds checked out of Kewanee Public Library, Illinois, USA in April 1955, and returned 47 years later.**4.
Roald Dahl is the most borrowed classic author, followed by Enid Blyton, and Agatha Christie.*5. The highest library is on the 60th floor of the JW Marriott Hotel at Tomorrow Square in Shanghai, China. It is 230.9 m (757 ft 6 in) high.**
6.
The top two most borrowed books in 2014/15 were both by Lee Child: Personal at number one, and Never Go Back at number two.*7. The record for the largest collection of privately owned books goes to John Q. Benham of Avoca, Indiana, USA. He has over 1.5 million books.**
8.
In the travel and holiday genre, the most borrowed book for 2014/15 was Lonely Planet Italy, but it only came top in London. The most borrowed in this category in Scotland was Edinburgh for Under Fives; in Wales it was Insufficiently Welsh; and in Yorkshire North York Moors & Yorkshire Wolds.*9.
The most stolen book from libraries is reportedly the Guinness Book of Records.10.
Despite dying in 1998, Catherine Cookson remains the UK's most borrowed author over the past 20 years: her books have been borrowed over 32 million times between 1995 and 2015. Jacqueline Wilson is the most borrowed children's author over this period.*Although not strictly about libraries, an honourary mention goes to the winner of a 2010 survey of books left behind in Travelodges in Britain: Simon Cowell: The Unauthorized Biography.**
Let me know any interesting facts I missed!
*UK library borrowing statistics from the 2014-15 survey conducted by Public Lending Right.
**Facts and figures from the Guiness Book of World Record's website.
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