You won't believe what happened when a family returned a century-overdue library book!
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We all know the feeling when we discover a library book long past its due date lingering in the back of a dusty bookshelf. Panic ensues as we calculate how much we owe in late fees.
Well, imagine the shock of one family when they discovered a library book that was due back nearly a century ago!
The astonishing tale began when Jim Perry stumbled across Benson Lossing's A History of the United States, published in 1881 while sorting through his late wife's book collection.
Curiously, the book contained a note indicating it had been borrowed from the St. Helena Public Library in Napa Valley, California. It was due back on February 21, 1927 – making it a jaw-dropping 96 years overdue.
A note inside the book reads: ‘This book may be kept for two weeks.’
Feeling apprehensive, Perry returned the book to the library, only to be greeted with overwhelming excitement instead of the dreaded late fees.
In a twist many would consider good luck, the St. Helena Public Library had opted to stop collecting fines just two years prior, saving Mr Perry a hefty $1,756 (AUD 2,438) expense.
But little did he know that his family's overdue book would not only avoid an astronomical late fee but also become a treasured piece of history.
As Perry delved into the history of the long-forgotten book, he learned that it had been in his family for five generations.
It was originally borrowed by his wife's grandfather, John McCormick, a descendant of one of St. Helena's oldest pioneer families.
Over the years, the book passed through the hands of various family members, only to resurface nearly a century later.
When Perry contacted the library after seeing a news report about the book, he said, ‘I didn't know how special it was.’
Library director Chris Kreiden told local reporters, ‘All of us are just, you know, wondering where the book could have been for so long from being checked out in 1927. To have it be from this library from that far back is really incredible.’
‘I mean, we’ve had things checked out for two or three years, maybe five, but never anything quite this long.’
Staff at the library also believe that the book may have been among the 540 volumes available at the Free Public Library, which is the predecessor of the St. Helena Public Library.
Now regarded as a rare artifact, the book has found a new home within a glass display case at the public library.
‘It’s never too late to return your library book,’ Kreiden joked.
According to The Guinness World Record, the most overdue library book is held by a German history book that belongs to Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge. It was borrowed sometime between 1667 and 1668 and returned in 1956 – a staggering 287 years overdue.
For our members who enjoy paging through vintage books, this heartwarming story serves as a reminder that you never know the kind of treasures you might be holding in your hands. And who knows, perhaps you may uncover a fascinating tale hidden amongst the pages of your own bookshelves just waiting to be rediscovered!
Has anything interesting been unearthed in your spring-cleaning efforts? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
Well, imagine the shock of one family when they discovered a library book that was due back nearly a century ago!
The astonishing tale began when Jim Perry stumbled across Benson Lossing's A History of the United States, published in 1881 while sorting through his late wife's book collection.
Curiously, the book contained a note indicating it had been borrowed from the St. Helena Public Library in Napa Valley, California. It was due back on February 21, 1927 – making it a jaw-dropping 96 years overdue.
A note inside the book reads: ‘This book may be kept for two weeks.’
The book in question. Credit: St. Helena Public Library
Feeling apprehensive, Perry returned the book to the library, only to be greeted with overwhelming excitement instead of the dreaded late fees.
In a twist many would consider good luck, the St. Helena Public Library had opted to stop collecting fines just two years prior, saving Mr Perry a hefty $1,756 (AUD 2,438) expense.
But little did he know that his family's overdue book would not only avoid an astronomical late fee but also become a treasured piece of history.
As Perry delved into the history of the long-forgotten book, he learned that it had been in his family for five generations.
It was originally borrowed by his wife's grandfather, John McCormick, a descendant of one of St. Helena's oldest pioneer families.
Over the years, the book passed through the hands of various family members, only to resurface nearly a century later.
The book now resides in St. Helena’s Public Library. Credit: St. Helena Public Library
When Perry contacted the library after seeing a news report about the book, he said, ‘I didn't know how special it was.’
Library director Chris Kreiden told local reporters, ‘All of us are just, you know, wondering where the book could have been for so long from being checked out in 1927. To have it be from this library from that far back is really incredible.’
‘I mean, we’ve had things checked out for two or three years, maybe five, but never anything quite this long.’
Staff at the library also believe that the book may have been among the 540 volumes available at the Free Public Library, which is the predecessor of the St. Helena Public Library.
Now regarded as a rare artifact, the book has found a new home within a glass display case at the public library.
‘It’s never too late to return your library book,’ Kreiden joked.
According to The Guinness World Record, the most overdue library book is held by a German history book that belongs to Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge. It was borrowed sometime between 1667 and 1668 and returned in 1956 – a staggering 287 years overdue.
For our members who enjoy paging through vintage books, this heartwarming story serves as a reminder that you never know the kind of treasures you might be holding in your hands. And who knows, perhaps you may uncover a fascinating tale hidden amongst the pages of your own bookshelves just waiting to be rediscovered!
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