A copy of the classic novel “Ivanhoe” by Walter Scott was recently returned to a Colorado library more than 100 years overdue. The book was supposed to be returned on February 13, 1919, during the Woodrow Wilson presidential administration, but was returned earlier this year by an unidentified woman after her brother found it while going through their mother’s belongings. The book was checked out of what was then the Fort Collins Free Public Library, which is now part of the Poudre Libraries system.
The library noted that the fine for an overdue book during that time period was 2 cents per day, with an additional charge of a quarter if a messenger had to be sent to retrieve the book. Based on these rates, the late fee for “Ivanhoe” would have been approximately $760, or around $14,000 when adjusted for inflation. However, the library stopped charging late fees in November 2020. Despite the potential fines, the library was thrilled to have the book returned after 105 years and considered it a testament to the timelessness of books.
The Fort Collins Free Public Library, where the book was originally checked out, was housed in a now empty building behind the current library. The book had been borrowed three times before it went missing for over a century, and it was still in good condition when it was returned. The library noted that the book had been well-loved and annotated, raising questions about the number of generations it had passed through from parents to children.
Due to the return of the book after such a long period of time, the library system decided to retire it. They have other copies of “Ivanhoe” to offer to patrons, and they plan to either display the returned copy in a local museum or exhibit it in the library. Overall, the return of the overdue book was seen as a heartwarming story that highlighted the enduring nature of books and the importance of libraries in preserving literary treasures.
