Ohio Library receives quite a shock when a poetry book, 93 years overdue, is returned. The library staff was surprised to see a well-aged book that was last checked out when their great-grandparents were in diapers.
The library’s president, Jane Doe, said that they tried their best to locate the borrower named Sarah Smith but had no success. It seems like Sarah had decided to cling onto the library’s property for almost a century, that too, without any late fee charges!
The poetry book, titled “Poems of Passion,” was checked out on July 7, 1928, and should have been returned on August 7, 1928. That was back when Cincinnati’s population was only around 450,000, and the world was a completely different arena.
Upon checking the book’s condition, the library staff was surprised to see that the borrower had taken excellent care of it. The book was wrapped in a protective layer of plastic with blossoms tucked inside, making it look like a relic of the past.
The library made efforts to find Sarah Smith and thank her for returning the book, but they were empty-handed. It is speculated that Sarah may have passed away or moved overseas. The librarians hope that Sarah’s descendants will be able to solve the mystery of the book’s whereabouts for the past century.
The library staff is offering to forgive the debt that Sarah Smith may have accumulated, which, after computing, amounts to about $3,645. Jane Doe said that the library was never expecting the book to be returned, and it’s a pleasant surprise for them.
When questioned if the library had any plans to put the book up for sale or auction, Jane Doe vehemently denied such allegations. “The book is a relic of the past and holds sentimental value to us. It’s precious in our eyes,” she said.
The book, “Poems of Passion,” is a collection of poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, a popular poet in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The book contains poems on various themes, including love, sorrow, loss, and hope. It’s interesting to imagine what kind of person Sarah Smith was and how these poems may have resonated with her.
This gesture has found its way among social media platforms as rumors of Sarah Smith being a ghost or a time traveler began circulating. Though librarians believe it’s just someone who wanted to hold on to a sentimental treasure for their entire life.
In conclusion, the return of a book 93 years after it was due, though ironic in nature, is a fantastic deed. It highlights how a small event of returning long-lost treasure can give joy to so many people, even nine decades later.
