Publishing phenomenon James Patterson has tightened his stranglehold on UK libraries as the year's most borrowed author with the most popular title, new figures show.
The US writer also has eight books in the top 20 of the most frequently taken out titles - one more than the previous year.
Patterson has been the most popular author in UK libraries for six years, according to data from Public Lending Right (PLR).
James Patterson
And he has now toppled Dan Brown as the author of the most borrowed title, with 10th Anniversary - jointly written with Maxine Paetro - taking the honours for the 12 months up to June 2012, the period covered by the new figures. Brown's The Lost Symbol took the honours in the previous year.
Patterson - many of whose books are co-written with other authors - saw his books taken out more than a million times from British libraries.
Crime and thrillers account for 16 of the top 20 most borrowed books for adults and children, continuing an ongoing trend. A decade ago the list was dominated by romances but they have increasingly been bumped off the countdown.
In second position among the most borrowed titles is the British-born but US-based writer Lee Child - real name Jim Grant - with his 2010 book Worth Dying For. The book had been in 10th spot a year earlier.
Patterson's book Postcard Killers, written with Liza Marklund, and Child's Worth Dying For both make it into the top 20 twice for different editions.
The most popular children's book, Julia Donaldson's The Gruffalo, is in sixth place.
Behind Patterson in the most popular authors league is the writing team behind the Rainbow Magic children's series, which goes under the name of Daisy Meadows and includes authors such as Linda Chapman. Another team, which creates the Beast Quest children's books under the pseudonym Adam Blade, is at 10.
The literary fiction hit of last year, EL James's 50 Shades Of Grey trilogy, failed to make an impact on the library list as the books were published for only a short part of the period covered by the PLR figures. They are expected to leave an impression next year.
Most borrowed authors 2011/2012:
1. James Patterson
2. Daisy Meadows
3. Julia Donaldson
4. Nora Roberts
5. Francesca Simon
6. Jacqueline Wilson
7. M C Beaton
8. Danielle Steel
9. Mick Inkpen
10. Adam Blade
11. Clive Cussler
12. Terry Deary
13. Fiona Watt
14. Roald Dahl
15. Anna Jacobs
16. Lee Child
17. Ian Whybrow
18. David Baldacci
19. Michael Connelly
20. Harlan Coben
Most borrowed titles 2011/2012:
1. James Patterson and Maxine Paetro - 10th Anniversary
2. Lee Child - Worth Dying For
3. Harlan Coben - Miracle Cure
4. James Patterson - Private London
5. Kathryn Stockett - The Help
6. Julia Donaldson - The Gruffalo
7. Harlan Coben - Caught
8. Lee Child - Worth Dying For (different edition)
9. Michael Connelly - The Reversal
10. Maeve Binchy - Minding Frankie
11. James Patterson - Now You See Her
12. James Patterson and Liza Marklund - Postcard Killers
13. Lee Child - The Affair
14. James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge - Tick Tock
15. James Patterson and Howard Roughan - Don't Blink
16. Claire Freedman and Ben Cort - Aliens Love Underpants!
17. James Patterson and Liza Marklund - Postcard Killers (different edition)
18. Kathy Reichs - Spider Bones
19. Tess Gerritsen - The Silent Girl
20. James Patterson and Maxine Paetro - Private