Book returned to UK after being wrongly handed in 3,000 miles away in US namesake library

A book from an English library has finally been returned after a 3,000-mile detour to the United States.

The copy of Animal Ark was lent out in Swaffham, Norfolk, but ended up being handed in at Norfolk Library in the town of Norfolk, Connecticut., US

Library bosses revealed that the book had found its way back via an unusual courier, as reported by What’s The Jam.

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A spokesman for Norfolk Library Service said: “The book might not look like a particularly outstanding book though I’m sure there are lots of Animal Ark fans out there.

“However, it’s one that has gone on an amazing journey.

“For when one of our library users and his sister visited The Norfolk Library in Connecticut USA, they ended up chatting with staff.

“And when staff found out our borrower was from Norfolk England, they had something for him to take home to the UK.

“Because somehow, this copy of Animal Ark had made the way to Norfolk Connecticut – despite actually being from our very own Swaffham Library.

“Quite how someone got confused and returned it to the wrong place, we have no idea.

“Swaffham Library is very different to The Norfolk Library.

“Oh and there’s the fact it’s literally thousands of miles away and across an entire ocean.

“But still it made it there, and it has now made it back.

“And another nugget of info for you – there’s also a Norwich in Connecticut too.

“As far as we know there’s not a Swaffham though.”

Staff at the Connecticut library said the book had been dropped off in a return drawer outside the building.

The book is in demand as it is already out on loan again in Swaffham.

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