Nearly 60 Years Later, A Book Is Returned From Scotland To Michigan Library

The Niles District Library is no stranger to getting long-overdue library books. Back in 2017, they checked out a 50-year-old book with a handwritten apology, and just last year, they returned a book well past its December 18, 1969, due date. They've taken a "better late than never" approach to overdue returns.

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However, earlier this month, they got a book return that made them do a double take - not just because of how long it had been since it was checked out, but also because it had found its way back from across the Atlantic. 

From Scotland To Niles, With Love

On the Niles District Library Facebook page, the library posted a photo of a package they'd received from Scotland containing a copy of the 1967 book "The Groucho Letters", a collection of letters from comedic letters from comedian Groucho Marx. The book's receipt features branding for the Niles Public Library, a moniker the library dropped in 1973, making this book potentially 59 years overdue. 

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It was returned by a volunteer librarian who found it buried in a bookshop inside the Culzean Castle. Yes, you read that correctly. Not only is this book majorly overdue and from overseas, but it's been hanging out in an absolutely gorgeous castle this entire time.

How Much Would The Overdue Fees Be?

So, how much of an overdue fee would this be if Niles District Library, for whatever reason, had charged an overdue fee? The book was checked out sometime between 1967 and 1973. WVPE reports that the library charges 15 cents per day for overdue books. One year of fees comes to ~$54.75.

So, based on some rough math and assuming the book was checked out in 1967 for the maximum 59 years, the owner of that book would owe $3,230.25. Yikes. Luckily for that person, the library will not be collecting on that debt.