“Ridiculous” Fine for the Book That Was Returned 90 Years Late at the Library

LARCHMONT, New York (WABC) — When it comes to library books, holding onto a book for too long can leave you faced with both anxiety and fines.

An Extraordinary Return
For those who know a thing or two about overdue book guilt, consider the recent case of a nearly century-old Joseph Conrad collection that was returned to a New York state library – almost 90 years to the date it was due.

A copy of Conrad’s “Youth and Two Other Stories” was returned to Larchmont Public Library last month after it was checked out in 1933. The book, originally published in 1925, was due to be returned on October 11, 1933.

The Astonishing Discovery
“I’ve been here 20 years now,” said Liam Hegarty of Larchmont Public Library. “Not even close to this has ever happened.”

The book was thought to be lost, before its return – as this week marks 90 years.

The library says a woman named Joanie Morgan found it as she was cleaning out her stepfather’s belongings at the family home in Virginia.

He used to live next to the Larchmont Library.

The Cost of Late Returns
The big question raised after the book’s return was how much would it cost?

“You would think 90 years overdue, 20 cents a day, that’d be $6,400,” said Hegarty.

However, the real answer is the library caps fines at $5.

We recently received an interesting package sent here from Virginia. Inside was a library book that was due on October 11th, 1933, one month shy of 90 years ago. The book, “Youth and Two Other Stories” by Joseph Conrad, was published in 1925. Now, I know what you are all thinking; I wonder how much that would be in overdue fees? At twenty cents a day, it seems like the fine could easily have reached over $6,400. But no, the real answer is only $5!
When a library book has not been returned after 30 days, it is considered “lost” and the patron is billed for the initial price of the book. However, when the book is returned, it reverts back to the maximum fine which is five dollars. No matter how long a Larchmont Public Library book is overdue, if it gets returned, the maximum fine is a whopping five bucks. Thanks to Joanie Morgan who discovered the book among her step-father’s belongings, it is now back at the Larchmont Library.

On Display
Book lovers hoping to borrow the classic Conrad’s collection won’t be able to check it out. However, it is set to be on display at the library.

The incredible return of a book almost a century overdue has left the Larchmont Public Library both amazed and amused. The story of Joanie Morgan’s discovery and the meager fine associated with the late return of the book serve as a delightful anecdote in the world of libraries and reading.