### Local Library Hails Heroic Return of Decade-Long Overdue Book: 84 Years Later!
In a triumphant event that has captured the hearts and minds of bibliophiles everywhere, an overdue library book has finally made its grand return after an astonishing 84 years of solitude. The Victor Hugo classic *Les Misérables* was reportedly uncovered between a stack of vintage Finnish newspapers, where it had become rather comfortable over the decades.
The Oulu City Library, which is now an Instagram hotspot, is basking in the glory of this historical moment. Previously shamed by the astounding gulf of time since the book last graced their shelves, the library received the overdue tome with open arms and no shortage of eye-rolling. “I can’t believe it’s finally back,” said Library Director Leena Virtanen, while trying to contain her excitement—no easy task after nearly a century. “To think we almost forgot about it… after a mere 84 years!”
Library patrons who have patiently awaited their turn to read this “actually kind of old” book found themselves both amused and bemused by the incessant chatter surrounding the return. “I guess I’m not the only one who misplaces books,” said regular visitor Jussi Korhonen, who was waiting to finally check out the iconic tale. “Looks like I’m only 83 years behind, so I’ll definitely beat that record!” he added while adopting a proud stance on his literary journey.
In a mundanely touching twist, the book’s overdue fines had racked up to approximately €1,200 ($1,250), a small price to pay for a treasure that, while collecting dust, had also preserved a significant portion of Finnish history. Local historians are now arguing whether the filing error or misplacement should be classified as a ‘rare event’ or just a regular Tuesday for the library staff. At least it adds some flair to their otherwise humdrum records management system!
In an attempt to garner some public relations gold from this overdue drama, the library has announced plans to host a celebratory gala for the momentous occasion, complete with red carpets, library card-themed refreshments, and perhaps a live reenactment of *Les Misérables*. “We’ll turn it into our annual event,” Virtanen declared, “because who doesn’t want to commemorate 84 years of neglect?”
Adding to the spectacle, the return of the dusty tome comes at a time when Oulu libraries are also introducing digital checkout options. They’re confident that these high-tech solutions will inspire today’s youth to explore the joy of reading—rather than embark on nearly a century-long scavenger hunt for their overdue titles.
Meanwhile, critics argue that the event shines a blinding spotlight on the urgent problem of overdue books, having become the very sensation to inspire other library-goers to examine their own dusty stacks at home. Rumors are swirling that several patrons are now in the process of checking the backs of their closets for any hidden literary treasures they may have tucked away in the roaring twenties.
So, hats off to the return of *Les Misérables*, which has unintentionally sparked a literary revolution years in the making. And as we all know, the mantra for the future: “Just don’t take that book home, or you might accidentally time travel.”
