You wake up in a cold sweat. You forgot to return your library book. Rummaging through the shelves, drawers and cubbies of your home, you wonder what would be the best way to return it. Explain it to the librarian? Drop it in the return box? Whether or not you have had the experience of possessing a late library book, here is the true and interesting story of the person who returned their library book after 52 years!
Source: abcNEWS
For context, the book in question was W.O Mitchell’s novel Who Has Seen The Wind. The bildungsroman details a boy confronting important topics such as life and death. Since it’s initial publication in 1947, the book was popular for many readers. The book was taught in a number of Canadian educational institutions and even received a movie adaptation in 1977.
Source: Amazon
The tragic disappearance was apparent after the book’s due date on September 29, 1965. The Noah Webster Library in West Hartford had one extra overdue book that day, not knowing it would be the longest missing book they would have 52 years later.
Source: We-ha
The director of the library, Martha Church, worked for 40 years and never saw a book that was overdue for so long: “52 years is probably a record.” She speculated, “It was most likely checked out in August–a beach read, possibly.”
It was definitely a surprise for Martha and other staff members of the library when the book arrived at the library with a sticky note. Attached with two pieces of tape, the note sheepishly says, “Returning this book to you after too many years. Sorry it has taken so long.”
Source: abcNEWS
Not sure what to do, the employees brought it to Martha and she decided to hand it over to the staff who worked on the Facebook page. Out of all their content, their newly reclaimed book received the most attention with 310 reactions to date.
With the final chapters of the overdue book in Noah Webster Library coming to a happy end, here is a wonderful song to commemorate its return! Remember folks: bring your books back!
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Featured image via Facebook
h/t abcNEWS
