Book returns to Fife library after more than 70 years

A book has been returned to a library in Fife after more than 70 years.

Stately Timber by Rupert Hughes should have been returned to what was then Dunfermline Public Libraries’ Central Library in Abbot Street on 6 November 1948. 

Instead, it was sent by post by the borrower’s daughter all the way from Cromarty nearly exactly 73 years later. 

OnFife libraries have had an amnesty on late fees during the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite this, staff were left astounded, yet touched, to find a book making its way back after such a long time.

Donna Dewar, a cultural services assistant at Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries, said: "I burst our laughing when I opened the parcel, I couldn’t believe it.

"We had a book returned to our Rosyth branch after 14 years recently, which we thought was amazing enough, but this was way beyond anything we’ve heard of."

The OnFife Libraries book is certainly in the running for one of the most overdue returned to a public library anywhere in the UK.

Donna added: "For a bit of fun we worked out how much could have been due in fees and it comes to a whopping £2,847! 

"It arrived with a lovely letter from the borrower’s daughter who was able to give us a bit of detail."

The sender explained that her late Dad had lived in Thornton in 1948, but whether he had just been a 20-year-old with other things on his mind at the time and forgot to return it or whether he chose to keep it, she would never know. 

Touchingly, following on from Remembrance Day last week, she also wrote: "I find it fascinating to see the dates of when this book was taken out, during the latter year of World War II and that the war ended between stamps marked by librarians.

"Life goes on around momentous historical events."

Christine McLean, the Head of Cultural Heritage and Wellbeing at OnFife, said: "We’re thrilled to have received it - especially as this week is Book Week Scotland when we’re doing so much to promote our libraries - and we look forward to finding a special place to display the book, and the story of its journey, in our Local Studies section at DCL&G."