Library Book Returned After 76 Years

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. — Mark McKee can finally rest easy after returning a library book that he borrowed 76 years ago.

In 1934, then aged 13, McKee checked out "A Dog of Flanders" by English author Marie Louise de la Ramee from the public library in Mount Clemens, about 25 miles northeast of Detroit.

The Macomb Daily's 89-year-old former publisher says he recently discovered the book among his possessions and mailed it back to the library.

McKee says he "was entranced by the book" but had always intended to return it.

Library Director Donald Worrell Jr. says he was thrilled to receive the book and a letter from his friend, McKee, and says he plans to put both on display.

Worrell says he's waiving any fines.

Comments

[lmab]

10:15 PM on 12/29/2010

Still waiting for George Costanza to return "Tropic of Cancer".

[Leo Bloom]

01:02 AM on 12/29/2010

20 years later..
I... I borrowed EPUB file of Neoromancer and forgot about it.
I would like to return it, but it is hopelessly outdated and no library in U.S.uses flashdrives and Epub formats.
Is there any museum in U.S. that would accept this file?

My nano-puter sure doesn't.

Help.

[Leo Bloom]

12:56 AM on 12/29/2010

Mr. Bookman was obviously on the case.

[LizinBali]

11:17 PM on 12/28/2010

Hahaha. On a recent visit to my family home, I found a stack of library books in the attic, dating from my high school days, 30 years before. I was too embarrassed to return the books during library opening hours, so I went late at night to put them into the after-hours book return slot. Imagine my surprise when I saw a paper bag sitting next to the slot with a note saying, " I borrowed these books about 20 years ago, and never returned them. Please accept back with my apologies." I wasn't the only one!

[LMPE]

05:19 PM on 12/26/2010

better late than never

[Indigo1941]

06:19 PM on 12/23/2010

How much was the overdue fine?

[PICASS0]

06:12 AM on 12/25/2010

That was what I was wishing to know too. You would think the journalist would have asked such an obvious question for curiosities sake.

[lmab]

10:15 PM on 12/29/2010

$27,555.15

[mrbeadle]

04:15 PM on 12/23/2010

i've got one that's about 43 years overdue.
i thought that might make a good story until i read this.
i'm still 33 years shy of McKee, wow.

[Glory 66]

02:29 PM on 12/23/2010

In the glory of the book!or May live Book!That is my association with this article about a man to return a book to the library after 76 years.i love that!

[1logicalthinker]

01:51 PM on 12/23/2010

Something about this story smells. Oh, I'm sorry, I meant Mt. Clemens used to smell when they had those minerals baths.