An overdue library book has been returned to a library after 98 years.
The copy of ‘Wild West’ by Bertrand W. Sinclair was checked out in 1926.
It was found by a family on the bookshelf of an elderly relative who had recently passed away.
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Nearly a century later, the tome was returned to the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library in Cincinnati, Ohio, US.
The library said it was sent back to the Price Hill Branch at the end of last year.
“The book was checked out in 1926 and returned in late 2024 after being discovered in a home,” said librarian Christopher Smith.
“A few years after the book was borrowed, the Library purchased a replacement copy.
“The recently returned book is in good condition, and has been re-added to the catalogue, providing two copies of ‘Wild West’ for checkout.”
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Mr Smith added: “I just found it fascinating, the fact that it came back in decent shape, considering it’s an almost a 100-year-old book.
“The fact that it didn’t just make it into the garbage or recycling or getting ground up for paper pulp.
“That’s crazy.”
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Mr Smith said the library no longer charges fines for overdue books, as reported by What’s The Jam.
But he estimated that it would have accrued about £563.70 ($730) under the old system.
One local said: “Haha! That’s awesome.”
“That’s so cool,” added Billy.
Another asked: “Is it back on the shelf and available to check out?”
Hunter said: “The next person to pick this up could do the funniest thing ever.”
In January, an Ernest Hemingway classic was returned to another US library 56 years late.
The copy of ‘The Sun Also Rises’ was returned with a handwritten note and a cheque to cover the cost of the book.
The tome was sent to Greenwich Library in Connecticut.
The sender explained: “I was recently going through some old boxes and found this book.
“I re-read it and am now returning it – 56 years late.”
A library spokesperson said: “Luckily we no longer have overdue fines.
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