Library book returned 50 years after it was due

If you’ve ever been nervous returning a library book a day or two late, try 50 years.
One library was in for quite the surprise when they discovered an old book returned to them decades after it was checked out in the ’70s.
Hopewell Library in Virginia shared a short clip of the “exciting” find to Facebook reels, which has since racked up more than two thousand views.
Watch the video above.
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According to the library, the poetry book titled Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman was supposed to be returned on June 3, 1974.
After missing from the library for over 50 years, the book was returned August 22, 2024.
“Checked out in 1974, the year our three libraries joined up to become the Appomattox Regional Library System, this book has been returned after 50 years!” the library wrote in the Facebook caption, adding they were “glad to have it back”.
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Some people in the comments section of the Facebook clip chimed in that the surprise return was “cool” to see.
In the clip the library showed the vintage book had a sticky note on the front with a message from the patron who revealed the book was seriously overdue.
The library the showed the inside of said book which had old property stamps on the inside cover and a card with the due date stamped at the back.
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Speaking to WTVRAdult Services Librarian Catherine Field said the patron had found the book and the late slip at the back while cleaning her sister’s home.
The outlet also revealed the book would not return to the library shelves.
Despite the very late return the library revealed some good news for the patron – there would be no late fee!
“It will be cool to calculate to find out how much the fine would have actually been,” one person brought up in the comments section.
But according to the library they stopped doing late fines in summer 2023. 
“No one on staff now knows what the fine policy was in 1974, but if it had been 10 cents a day it would have been around $1,774!” they answered.
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