British Columbia Library Experiences Shock as Borrower Returns Book Nearly a Century Late
The world of library services was rocked asunder this week as the news broke of a book that was returned to the library an incredible 86 years after its due date. The book, a tome on the little-known subject of high tea etiquette, had been checked out from the library in 1935 by an enthusiastic but ill-organized reader who evidently got carried away with the excitement of learning how to hold a china teacup.
In the ensuing years, the book was presumed lost, discarded, or used to prop open a window. However, the library in question was recently stunned when a man walked through its doors and deposited the book in the returns drop-off, as blase as if he had simply popped into the store to buy more Earl Grey.
While the library staff was undoubtedly grateful for the return of the wayward publication, many of them were left scratching their heads at the sheer chutzpah of the tardy borrower. “What was this guy thinking?” one librarian reportedly exclaimed. “Did he honestly think we wouldn’t notice that a book was 86 years overdue? Did he think nobody would care?”
But care they certainly did. The moment the book was discovered, a frenzy of activity broke out as librarians rushed to examine it for signs of damage or wear. They were reportedly disappointed to find that the book was in excellent condition, with only a slight tear on the page detailing the proper placement of the sugar tongs.
The tardy borrower, when contacted by the library, expressed surprise that there was any fuss at all over the book’s return. “I mean, it’s just a book, right?” he said. “I figured you guys probably had, like, fifty copies lying around or something.”
However, the library’s staff took a different view. “The basic rules of library etiquette state that books should be returned on time,” one librarian explained. “It’s not just about the book being available to other readers. It’s about respecting the library’s resources and the hard work that goes into maintaining them.”
Despite the somewhat flippant attitude of the tardy borrower, the library’s staff said they were thrilled to have the book back in their collection. “It’s a little slice of history,” one librarian said. “Who knows what other treasures are out there waiting to be returned? Maybe a copy of ‘War and Peace’ that’s been circulating for a century? Or a guide to beekeeping that’s been passed from generation to generation?”
In any case, it’s clear that the library in question has weathered this storm of tardiness with admirable poise and professionalism. And while the world of library services may not seem like the most exciting or glamorous of fields, this little story is a testament to the importance of books, learning, and respecting the institutions that help us find knowledge and enjoyment in the world around us.
