A library book that went missing for 50 years has finally been returned to the Hopewell Branch of the Appomattox Regional Library in Hopewell, Virginia. The overdue book, “Leaves of Grass” by American poet Walt Whitman, was borrowed in the early 1970s and was due back on June 3, 1974. The book was found by a woman while cleaning out her sister’s home and she brought it back to the library. It is believed to be the longest overdue book returned to the library, with the previous record being a book checked out in 2009.
The library representative mentioned that they were able to determine the due date of the book due to the old card catalog system, which included reusable due date cards placed in the back of the book. If the library was still charging fines at 10 cents a day, the overdue book would have accrued around $1,774 worth of fines. However, the library no longer charges overdue fines, so the woman who returned the book did not have to pay any penalties for the 50-year late return. The library staff and employees were delighted to have the book back after such a long time and commended the woman for her responsible actions.
Interestingly, the book returned before this was checked out just five years prior in 2009, titled “The Dilbert Future: Thriving on stupidity in the twenty-first century,” which is a cartoon self-help and joke book. The library representative shared that many of the staff at the library were born and raised in the area, and they had fun reminiscing about what the library was like in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. The return of the long-overdue book has brought a sense of nostalgia and joy to the employees and patrons of the library, who appreciated the woman’s gesture in returning the book after so many years.
In a separate section, a family transformed a 100-year-old school into their dream home after a chaotic three-year renovation process. The family put in a lot of effort and resources into renovating the old school building, turning it into a beautiful and spacious home. The renovation project was challenging but rewarding, and the family is now enjoying living in their dream home. The transformation of the old school building into a modern and comfortable home is a testament to the family’s determination and vision.
In other odd news, a family was able to connect for the first time thanks to a postcard that arrived 121 years later. The postcard revealed that their ancestors were siblings, and none of them knew the others existed. This surprising discovery brought the family together and allowed them to learn more about their shared heritage. Additionally, a young cat was rescued from an active car wash in Ohio after being blown out of its hiding spot in a vehicle. The cat, named “Turbo Rinse,” will soon be available for adoption. Furthermore, two fishing buddies in West Virginia set black crappie state records within less than two hours of one another, showcasing their impressive angling skills.
