In December 1948, a young girl walked into the Epsom Community Library in Auckland, New Zealand.
She wanted to read about the legends of the Maori people. She found a book called Myths and Legends of Maoriland, checked it out, and went on her way.
But what she didn't realize is that she never returned it, and even boxed it up by accident when she moved away.
Flash forward 68 years. The Epsom Community Library is still in Auckland, providing books, media, and activities to the residents.
No one working there even knows about a book on Maori legends that disappeared so long ago. Many of them had probably not even been born at the time!
But then one day, an older woman walked in, carrying a book from another time…
Libraries are valuable to communities not just because they provide resources, but they're also places where those communities make memories, like the burst of Christmas cheer that appeared in one university library in Spain.
And likewise, this blast from the past is making people smile not only in Auckland, but all over the world!
Read on to see what happened, and what a 68-year late fee looks like!
[H/T: Distractify]
Librarians at the Epsom Community Library in Auckland, New Zealand, were surprised to see this book come across their desk.
It was being returned by a woman who'd checked it out — 68 years ago!
The book hadn't been back in the library since December of 1948, according to the stamp card.
It had gotten mixed up when the patron moved out of Auckland, but when she rediscovered it, she was determined to return it.
But there was the issue of the late fee.
The card reads that it would cost three pence each day for the first week overdue, and a penny per day after that.
That comes out to $71.52. But if you adjusted for inflation, it would actually be $5,079. Yikes!
But luckily, the library was so thrilled to have this book back, and to learn this great story, they completely waived the fee.
After all, it's a pretty great story, and they've managed fine without the cash for nearly 70 years!
The library is also amazed that the book is still in such good condition.
However, it's unlikely that the book will go back on the shelves.
Since 1948, it's undergone revisions, and the latest edition is called Maori Myths & Legendary Tales, and sports a bright new cover.
The most overdue library book made a splash on Facebook, though, and it even inspired someone to come forward with their own confession!
It's funny how a simple mistake can turn into such a fun and amazing story, and kudos to the woman who so honestly returned the overdue book after so long.
Please SHARE this story with all the bookworms you know, and remember to return you library books!
