After 50 years, the overdue book is finally returned to the Virginia library.
Overdue book fees at the library could amount to $1,774.
A library book that went missing for 50 years has finally been returned.
The book borrowed in the early 1970s from the Appomattox Regional Library in Hopewell, Virginia, resurfaced decades after its due date.
The due date for "Leaves of Grass" by Walt Whitman at the library was June 3, 1974.
Our library system was established in 1974, and we can infer that the item was checked out two weeks prior, on Monday, May 20th, 1974, as stated by a library representative via email to Planet Chronicle Digital.
The librarian was informed by a woman that she discovered the book while tidying up her sister's residence and subsequently brought it to the library.
The library representative stated that this is likely the longest overdue book we've ever received.
"Without the old card catalog system, which involved placing a reusable due date card in a pocket at the back of the book, we would not be able to determine the length of time some items are borrowed for."
The Hopewell Library no longer charges overdue fines.
"If we had continued to charge fines at 10 cents per day, including holidays, this book would have accumulated approximately $1,774 in fines. However, we would not have collected this amount."
In 2009, the oldest overdue book was checked out before this book was returned.
Five years ago, the book checked out was 'The Dilbert Future: Thriving on stupidity in the twenty-first century,' a cartoon self-help and joke book.
"The woman's act of responsibly returning the book after a long time was appreciated by everyone."
Our representative stated that several of our employees, who were born and raised in this area, have enjoyed sharing with us their memories of the library's past in the '70s, '80s, and '90s.
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