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Long Overdue Library Books

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Amazing Stories of Library Books Returned after Many Years

Mention "overdue library books" and many people cringe. At some time, most library users have a small delinquency, pay their fine and continue happily patronizing their library. A few with overdue books that never get returned feel a real twinge of guilty conscience. It weighs on their mind, but somehow the book remains in their possession. Years pass and the library gives up hope of ever seeing that book again.

Sometimes, like a miracle, the long delinquent book shows up at the library. The borrower wants to clear their record and do the right thing by returning the book. Here are stories of long overdue books being reunited with the library.

RETURN BOOK STICKER, OLD BOOKS ARTWORK sticker
RETURN BOOK STICKER, OLD BOOKS ARTWORK by joyart

Famous People with Overdue Library Books

Even George Washington was a delinquent borrower

Washington and the cherry tree print
Washington and the cherry tree by fur_persons2



Read the rest of the story at the link below.
George Washington Overdue Library Books: Fine Would Be $300,000
NEW YORK -- If George Washington were alive today, he might face a hefty overdue library fine. New York City's oldest library says one of its ledgers shows that the president has racked up 220 years' worth of late fees on two books he borrowed, but never returned.
George Washington's overdue library book: A timeline - The Week
The first president never lied, but he also didn't return his library books

What's the Longest Time That an Overdue Library Book Was Out

and then returned?

Clock Maker - Time never waits print
Clock Maker - Time never waits by suburbanscenes



As far as I could find, the case with George Washington (above) was the longest with 221 years.
Scottdale library book returned after 73 years - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
In 1936, a young Scottdale boy checked out a library book from school that sparked something deep inside of him. The boy loved the book so much he decided he could not bear to part with it so he kept it.
Overdue library book returned in Sacramento 74 years late - Stockton Headlines | Examiner.com
Preparing for a yard sale, a 95-year-old Sacramento woman found a library book that her husband had borrowed in the 1940s.
The book, "Sea Plane Solo"
Overdue Charles Darwin book returned to library 122 years late - Telegraph
Staff at an Australia library have been stunned after first edition copy of Charles Darwin's Insectivorous Plants book was returned 122 years late.
Library Gets Back Stolen Book After 145 years
Washington and Lee University in Lexington got back a book on its shelves which may be the second longest overdue library book in the nation's history. It was taken during the Civil War.

What's the Longest Time You've Kept a Book Overdue

from a library

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Antique Book Shakespeare Binder binder
Antique Book Shakespeare Binder by debinSC

Countdown to Don't wait until next year to return your overdue book! Take it back now.

Don't wait until next year to return your overdue book! Take it back now.: January 1, 2013

Fascinating Reports of Long Overdue Library Books Returned

Enjoy the videos

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What's Your Excuse for Keeping the Library Book

past the due date?

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Give Your Tip for Returning Books on Time

zentao says:

Now that I have a kindle, I don;t use the libray much anymore, I just get a lot of free books online (and some purchased) saves money on those overdo books

pheonix76 says:

It has only happened to me on one or two occasions. The books were overdue by only a day or so because I had lost track of the due dates! My library sends out emails prior to books being due which helps me to remember better now. :)

esvoytko says:

Ditto on the email reminder comment. My library does this as well.

Becca Nuesch says:

I usually check out more than one at a time. My excuse is that I want to return them all at the same time and haven't finished one of them.

Wednesday_Elf says:

The ability to renew online these days is perfect for never having an overdue book.

Edutopia says:

Now a days pretty much everyone has an online calendar of some sort. As soon as you check the book out make a calendar event on the due date and set an alarm for yourself the day before its due to remind you.

Darlene says:

Nowadays, it's pretty easy to remember. My library sends you reminder emails 3 days before our book is due. Plus, there's online renewals and even an app that makes it easy to access your account.

babyandme says:

Making a note on my calendar always helps, but I can also view when the books is due online. I usually don't have too much trouble with overdue material. :)

ZodiacImmortal says:

Try reading at least 1-3 chapters a day. (read during tv commercials, while waiting for appointments, on breaks etc.)

as for an excuse (mm haven't used a library book in years...) I guess because I jsut didn't finsih the book on time (or wether if its snowed like crazy)

lastlittlebird says:

I set up an email reminder since my library doesn't send one out until the book is already overdue. Otherwise, I forget!

Why do your library books become overdue?

thomanna says:

I know I checked out a couple of books from my elementary school library and then we moved to another city. I found them when I was a senior in highschool while cleaning the shed. Don't know what's happened to them since.

egosney78 says:

My daughter had dropped a library book in the farthest reaches beside the bed and the wall. I didn't even know we still had it until I received the late notice.

mommafox says:

I just can't get back to the library on time. I figure what the heck. My overdue fees help buy new books. I am habitual late. I need a library like Netflicks, no late fees and no new checkouts till I return it. lol

intermarks says:

I have borrowed a book from the public library, and I have left it in my car and I have forgotten all about it after 4 months. I was charged $38 for late return.

shermanmorrison says:

Well, we're traveling in Brazil right now and our Portuguese still isn't all that great. The library actually closed the day before we went to return the books and then moved and just recently re-opened. The books were returned yesterday. Whew! About 8 weeks total.

PamelaU says:

A college course book got mixed up with some of my own books and, after finishing up and moving away I found it. Terrified of the overdue fee, I buried my head in the sand and forgot about it until I received a fine of more than £600 - the college had my new address.
I posted the book back to the college library with a crawly note and kept my fingers crossed. Thankfully, I heard no more about it......

Jay says:

Way back when in Elementary School, I would always seem to lose my books and not find it by the due date. Because there were no fees, I found myself keeping it for months and months. One time, I didn't return the book until two grades later!

Nowadays I'm more responsible with my book borrowing (especially since those fines can stack up quite fast!).

curious0927 says:

It was a Textbook for a College Computer Class. I saved about $130 dollars for the book with a small late return fee!

kitty222 says:

In most cases, I've just been late by a day or two because life got in the way and I couldn't get to the library on time. I've always paid the fine right then though.

Mia-Mia says:

I once borrowed several books, then took one on a trip. I returned all the books on time -- or so I thought. The next time I got out my luggage to pack for another trip, there was that book. It was the only time I ever had one that was more than a few days late. I felt so guilty.

 
view all 35 comments

Managing Library Overdues

Book for librarians (available from Amazon)

We may laugh about the idea of George Washington having an overdue library book or be amazed when a book gets returned 23 years too late. For librarians, it is no laughing matter. Unreturned books are a real headache in the library. Usually it's a really popular title that goes out and doesn't come back. People keep asking for it and are annoyed with the library for not having it on the shelf.

The library sometimes dredges up the money to replace the most needed books, but often the book budget is already stretched to the max trying to get the new books people want as well. What to do? Read this book to find some solutions to overdue books.
Managing Overdues: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians (How to Do It Manuals for Librarians)

Managing Overdues: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians (How to Do It Manuals for Librarians)

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

More about Overdue Books for Librarians

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Tell Me Your Overdue Book Story...

Library Book Bag bag
Library Book Bag by Mousefx

  • JoshK47 May 26, 2012 @ 11:34 am | delete
    How interesting! Thanks for sharing!
  • zillermil Feb 29, 2012 @ 11:26 am | delete
    Great lens! I'm a librarian too so this lens really appealed to me. Thanks.
  • katemiya Feb 19, 2012 @ 10:27 pm | delete
    Great lens topic. I always felt my fines were my way to help the library raise money especially because I always donate the change after paying my fines. :)
  • fiona-townsend Feb 19, 2012 @ 4:19 pm | delete
    Now I don't feel so bad about all those times I have had a book a few days overdue, but I am terrible for doing it.
  • GayleMcLaughlin Feb 19, 2012 @ 12:36 pm | delete
    Since I was a librarian--this story is a hoot! Love the Library Book Bag!
  • pheonix76 Feb 18, 2012 @ 1:26 am | delete
    I am a frequent library visitor and am pleased to say that I rarely have an overdue item and when it's happened, it was only for a couple of days. Interesting / unique lens!
  • juliavm Feb 17, 2012 @ 11:53 am | delete
    I've never kept a library book too long before. But I've found some long overdue library books lying around in friends' homes. I guess it's more common than I thought.
  • mommafox Feb 17, 2012 @ 11:52 am | delete
    After 3 years, the library drops your account and your fees are wiped clean. A godsend for us late returners. Just have to wait out three years lol
  • intermarks Feb 17, 2012 @ 5:26 am | delete
    I have a few books were overdue in hand now, your this lens just reminded me about them. Thanks!
  • LewesDE Feb 17, 2012 @ 1:41 am | delete
    Love this lens!
  • cffutah Feb 16, 2012 @ 7:57 pm | delete
    Enjoyed stopping by to see this.
  • Wednesday_Elf Feb 16, 2012 @ 1:45 pm | delete
    I actually return to the library for another selection of books before the due date. I read too fast to ever have an overdue book. Now, my 'daughter' is another case -- she just simply forgets as she usually reads 2-3 books at the same time (one is at work, one in the car, one at home.....) and forgets when they are due. :)
  • jimmyworldstar Feb 16, 2012 @ 9:23 am | delete
    I get the feeling that you can easily get away with overdue library books because no one really cares to hound you for it.
  • Bash51214 Feb 16, 2012 @ 12:49 am | delete
    So nice lens... i enjoyed reading it alot.. thanks.. God Bless You..
  • HSSchulte Feb 15, 2012 @ 10:06 pm | delete
    The Topeka library refused to take a book back. They told me I was so late that I would have to pay for the book. I agreed to pay, but still wanted to return it. They said, "no." LOL.
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vallain

I'm Virginia Allain, a retired librarian. Now I devote myself to writing, photography and designing books to self-publish. Having fun!
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