Photo: Worcester Public Library
WORCESTER, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A 51 year overdue library book was finally returned to its rightful home.
“The Early Work of Aubrey Beardsley,” published in 1899, was checked out from the Worcester Public Library over five decades ago. It was supposed to be returned on May 22, 1973 but was never seen again.
“There’s no record of who initially checked it out,” Alex London, the genealogy and local history librarian with the Worcester Public Library, told WBZ NewsRadio.
He added that because this book was checked out so long ago, it was never cataloged in the library system when they transitioned from card to digital.
“It’s actually funny [because] inside the book was a little marking that says ‘This book is the property of the above library. Good care and return is the responsibility of each borrower’,” London continued.
Aubrey Beardsley was a late 19th century English artist and author who played a key role developing the Art Nouveau aesthetic during that era. The book is a collection of his early illustrations.
Recently, it was miraculously returned to the Cambridge Public Library, where the librarian there reached out to London and asked if he’d like the book returned to their possession.
Photo: Worcester Public Library
With it now safely back home, the book is now available for readers to check out, and it is where it will stay.
“Given the age and the fact that it’s been out for so long, we would probably mark it as library use only,” London said.
As for how much the 51 year overdue fees racked up? Worcester Public Library does not fine for late returns.
WBZ NewsRadio's Brooke McCarthy (@BrookeWBZ) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok