Library goers in England were left dumbfounded when an ancient artifact was returned to its rightful home, 44 years after it was due back. Patrons of East Sussex County Libraries had the pleasure of witnessing a piece of history unfold before their very eyes.
The book, believed to have been originally checked out during the Stone Age, is said to hold the secrets of the universe. It was discovered in a basement flooded with water and the covers were as smoky as a haze of cigarette smoke in a bar.
The book was a non-fiction account of the life and times of UK Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole, who reigned over the country from 1742 to 1754. The story of Walpole’s life may have been exceeded in length by this overdue book, however the subject matter is just as exciting.
Richard Wilkinson, the head librarian at East Sussex County Libraries, had this to say about the sensational return of the book: “Our libraries may have been used as storage for the past decades, but it’s good to see that the people of England still value literature, otherwise this literary giant may have been lost forever.”
The book’s return was met with great applause, after it had gone missing from the library’s record books for over three decades. The mystery of its whereabouts was finally solved after an email from a man claiming to have the book in his possession arrived in the library’s inbox.
The culprit, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that he had discovered the book while cleaning up his father’s collection. He admitted to feeling guilty for over four decades and decided to rectify his wrongdoing and return the book.
The book was delivered in a wrapped package, and the librarians opened it with bated breath. They were relieved to find the book in above satisfactory condition, despite its age and the conditions under which it had been stored in the interim.
The book’s return is said to have yielded great excitement throughout the English library community, with patrons and curators alike hoping for a possible reunion with other long overdue items in the future.
The library hopes that this event will compel patrons to return their overdue books, which may have been collecting dust, or even mold, in their attics for decades. Library officials have promised that amnesty will be given to all persons returning overdue books. In the meantime, the valuable tome will take its rightful place on the library’s shelves, among other classics of its time – some of which are also long overdue.
Only time will tell what treasures await librarians in the borough of East Sussex. There may be more hidden literary gems out there, waiting to be uncovered by those willing to ignore the fines and agreeable librarians.
Perhaps one day, an epic return of a book will take place, after 50 years of overdue status, in the style of “Indiana Jones and the Lost Library of Sussex”. Until then, librarians can only hope and dream.
