This Book Was Returned To The Library After 111 Years Spent Being Overdue
Boise, Idaho. In a recent post from the Boise Public Library Facebook page, book lovers got a glimpse into an incredible story lost in time.
A book titled New Chronicles of Rebecca was initially checked out from Boise’s Carnegie Public Library in 1911.
Kate Douglass Wiggin the sequel to the beloved children’s book Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.
The book was returned to Garden Valley District Library sometime in October or November, then eventually sent back to the more extensive Boise public library.
Unfortunately, the book’s original home in the city had closed its doors to the public.
The Boise library calculated the incurred late fees on the book at a rate of two cents per day. So, 111 years after its initial due date, the person who checked it out would now owe the library $803!
Of course, the Facebook post played along with the absurdism of it all, saying, “thank goodness the Boise Public Libraries are now fine free!”
Facebook; pictured above is the overdue book
The Boise library in question would not have charged borrowers more than the price of the original book in late fees, and many libraries today have done away with late fees altogether.
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The book’s original due date was in November 1911, making the book’s finding this year in November an even more remarkable milestone.
The book’s log shows that it was checked out a few times in 1910 and for the last time in 1911. The book was found in excellent condition, leading interested parties to believe it had been left somewhere untouched in a box or attic.
Though this copy of the book isn’t rare, and family members have more original editions than they know what to do with, it does have an exciting flaw; the author’s last name appears as “Wiggins” instead of “Wiggin.”
Facebook; pictured above is inside the overdue book
This error was likely due to the book’s printer, but this copy may be one of the only copies to have this mistake.
But it feels almost fated for a book that went on to create even more confusion in its long absence from library shelves.
The Times cites the original price of the 1907 book at $1.50. However, now an original copy goes for more than $170 on eBay.
People are left with so many questions about this overdue book; who initially checked the book out? Who returned it?
And what happened in between, besides two world wars, the advent of the digital age, and dozens of cultural transformations?
However, one thing is for sure; literature and art are as close to time capsules as we encounter in our daily lives, and all involved are thrilled to have this gift from the past.
Facebook; pictured above is a photo showing the book was due back to the library on June of 1910
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