BORROWERS at York's libraries may be surprised to discover they can be labelled as "delinquent" - just for returning their books late.

Startled bookworms with overdue items are identified by the library computer system as "delinquent".

The harsh description flashes up on the librarian's computer screen, which is visible to visitors, after their library card is scanned.

But librarians are keen to stress that they do not believe overdue borrowers are young offenders or guilty of a minor crime or misdeed.

The embarrassment is the result of a mix-up with new American computer software at the library.

In America, the word "delinquent" is used to mean "in arrears" - in this case with unpaid fines.

A borrower at York's Museum Street library said: "It was a bit of a shock as I only owed about 30 pence.

"The librarian looked quite red-faced when I pointed it out and said they were hoping to get it changed soon."

A spokeswoman for City of York Council confirmed the word was used but said staff would never use it to describe library users.

She said: "We are obviously not happy with this term and have asked for changes to the system to be made.

"Unfortunately the electronic system that the library uses has a number of 'standard' elements that we can't change, including some of the terms and language used.

"This is obviously not ideal, as we don't want to cause users any offence, but the company supplying the system have assured us it will be changed."

The council hopes to remove the term from the expensive software within the next few months when it is upgraded.

Book fines at York's libraries are 11 pence per item per day up to a maximum of £5 per item.

Updated: 10:47 Saturday, April 13, 2002