A book has been returned to a California library after nearly a hundred years

Ninety-six years after the end of the loan period, a history book was returned to the local library in St. Helena, California, but did not result in a fine. Benson loss American historian A.A History of the United States His book, published in 1881, should have been returned on February 21, 1927, according to library records, but it all happened nearly a century later. Recently, a man entered the reception library with the book and then left without revealing his name, details and above all the mystery of the last hundred years of the book. the Washington Post Find out that person for Jim Perry He calls it, and finds the book in a chest among the family’s belongings. He thinks his wife’s grandfather may have borrowed the volume and then forgot to return it.

The volume delivered in the library was soon presented to the director of the institution, who thought it might belong to the original collection of the library, and at the same time might be one of the oldest volumes in the surviving collection of books. The history book is in a slightly worn condition, its pages faded, so it would need restoration, but it is currently on display in the library. Local media picked up the story, which is how the news reached Perry, who until then had no idea what he had found, but then called the principal, who thanked him for returning the volume.

Fortunately, the man’s research wasn’t rewarded with a fine, because in 2019 the library waived the late fee. However, if the previous tariff was valid (5 cents per day), then you would have to pay $ 1,756 over 96 years, which is 606,000 forints.

Although it seems like a huge delay, it doesn’t even come close to a Guinness World Record, because it’s held by a history book written in German, which was returned to the Cambridge Library after 287 years.