Blackpool Library reveals book loaned out 45 years ago is finally back – with borrower admitting ‘it’s a bit late’
A library book that was checked out 45 years ago has been returned – and late borrowers will not have to pay any fees as fines were abolished in 2019.
The book, Tolkien’s World, by Randel Helms, was 16,683 days overdue when it was returned to the public library in Blackpool by the unnamed female borrower.
By returning it now, rather than before April 2019 when fines were abolished, the late reader has avoided almost £150 in fines.
The dub was released for a scheduled three-week period in March 1978, five years after the death of Tolkien, who wrote the famous Lord of the Rings books.
The borrower apologized because it was “a bit late”, said Fiona Davies from Blackpool Central Library.
At least they brought it back? Tolkien’s World, a book lent by Blackpool Central Library in March 1978, has finally returned to the library’s shelves – after the borrower found it while clearing out her house
Records show the book was first lent in 1975, but has been with the same borrower since March 13, 1978 – when Labor leader Jim Callaghan was Prime Minister.
She said the borrower “recently came across” the book about Tolkien’s works while cleaning out her home. The woman had sheepishly said sorry.
Davies said: “I was shocked when I saw the date; I was still in primary school at the time. The lady gave the book back and said, “Sorry, it’s a little late.”
“I said it’s good that we don’t have any more fines.”
The woman worked at a nearby branch of Woolworth’s and regularly visited the library during her lunch break for ‘a pile of books’.
The lady who returned the book joked that it was “a bit late” and said she thought she had previously returned all the books she borrowed
Included in the book was a Nescafé competition brochure – which has also survived the test of time
‘When Woolies closed she brought them all back – or so she thought. But when she was sorting recently, she discovered it was hidden.”
When the book was pulled, there were fines of 1 cent per day for late returns, but libraries in the city stopped fining people in April 2019.
If she had returned it sooner, her fines would have risen to almost £150.
The library said anyone who had a similarly overdue book should not worry about the consequences.
‘We don’t fine customers for late books at Blackpool Libraries, even though that’s been decades.
“Rest assured, if you’ve been avoiding us because you lost a book in 1976, we’re not scary and you won’t be in trouble, we promise.”
They added that they would like to say a “huge thank you” to the woman for returning the book as it “certainly brightened our day.”