A library book that was lost for 50 years has finally been returned.
The overdue book, loaned in the early 1970s, reappeared decades after its due date at the Hopewell Branch of the Appomattox Regional Library in Hopewell, Virginia.
“Leaves of Grass” by American poet Walt Whitman was due to return to the library on June 3, 1974.
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“We can assume it was removed two weeks earlier, on Monday, May 20, 1974. In 1974, our library system was established,” a library representative told Fox News Digital via email.
A woman told a librarian that she found the book while cleaning her sister's house and brought it to the library.
“Leaves of Grass” was retired in 1974 and returned 50 years later to the Hopewell Branch of the Appomattox Regional Library. (Hopewell Branch of Appomattox Regional Library)
“This is almost certainly the longest book to return that we've ever returned,” the library representative said.
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“If it weren't for the old card catalog system, which involved placing a reusable due date card in a pocket at the back of the book, we would never know how to [long] “Some items are on loan.”
The library estimates the book would cost $1,774 in late fees. (Hopewell Branch of Appomattox Regional Library)
Hopewell Library no longer charges late payment fines.
“If we were still collecting 10 cent fines per day, including holiday closures, this book would have accumulated about $1,774 in fines, which of course we would not have collected.”
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Prior to the return of this book, the oldest and most overdue book had been withdrawn in 2009.
“Everyone enjoyed the return of the book. We think it was very kind of the woman to return the item responsibly after so long,” a library representative told Fox News Digital. (Hopewell Branch of Appomattox Regional Library)
The book I turned to five years ago was “The Future of Dilbert: Thriving on Stupidity in the 21st Century,” which is a book of cartoons, jokes, and self-help.
“Everyone enjoyed the return of the book. We think it was very kind of the woman to return the item responsibly after such a long time.”
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“Several of our employees were born and raised in this area, so they had fun telling us what the library was like in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s,” the representative said.
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