Sheepish reader returns book to library 54 years late racking up £800 in fines
A reader was left red-faced after returning a poetry book to a public library more than 50 years after they originally borrowed it.
The sheepish individual left those at Sewickley Public Library in shock when they brought back their copy of Beowulf - which they had first checked out back in January 1969.
At the time, fines for late book returns were 5¢ per day. It means the book borrower would have collected nearly $1,000 (£800) in fines over the 54-year period.
But luckily for them, the Pennsylvania library is now fine free and they were able to escape with a humble 'sorry it's late' and no financial burden.
The library, which has been open since 1873, took to Instagram to share the funny story with their 1,700 followers. They said: "In this case, a copy of "Beowulf" was recently returned to the Sewickley Public Library... 54 years after it was originally borrowed.
Woman kept overdue library book for 56 years over 3p fine - now it's far worse
"The classic title was checked out in January 1969. At that time, fines were 5¢ per day, which means this pretty piece of poetry would have collected almost $1,000 in fines over the years!
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The poem book Beowulf was first checked out in January 1969 (sewickleypublib/Instagram)"In reality, we would have charged the cost of this item since it's been gone so long. That means the borrower would owe....$0.98, which is how much it cost to purchase the title in the 1920s. Fortunately, SPL is a FINE FREE library!
"As long as library users return borrowed items, their account will be cleared and they can continue to check out materials to their heart's content. Let this be a reminder that it's never too late to return those overdue items!
"As we celebrate our library's enduring 150-year history, it is really incredible to have a part of it return during this celebratory year to add to our library's continuing story."
The public library had to wait more than half a century to get the book back (sewickleypublib/Instagram)Beowulf is an Old English epic poem in the tradition of Germanic heroic legend consisting of 3,182 alliterative lines. It is considered one of the most important translated works of Old English literature and is one of the most often translated.
According to the Sewickley Public Library website: "The library owes its origins to the arrival of a whiskey boat at the Saw Mill landing one Saturday evening in the winter of 1872-73.
The Old English poem book is thought to be one of the most translated literature texts (sewickleypublib/Instagram)“The consequent riot and disorder…led some, interested in the welfare of the young men, to think that such things would not be, had we a place for proper and rational amusement and self improvement.”
"The Young Men’s Library Association was formed in 1873 and rented a room for library services at the Mozart Hall (corner of Beaver and Broad Streets).
"It was later moved to a building next door called Choral Hall. In 1880 the property of the library was transferred to the Sewickley School Board under the general school laws of the state."
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