A classic novel was returned to a Colorado library more than 100 years overdue, but if the library system had still been charging late fees, the fine would have been thousands of dollars, adjusted for inflation.
It was recently revealed that author Walter Scott’s “Ivanhoe” has been returned to the Poudre Library, 105 years after its original loan date of February 13, 1919.
The library said in a press release last week that the unidentified woman returned the book to her brother in Kansas earlier this year after he discovered it while rummaging through their mother’s belongings.
When this book was on loan during President Woodrow Wilson’s administration, the fine for overdue books was 2 cents a day. The library cited past lending rules and said violators would owe an additional quarter if they had to send a messenger to retrieve the books.
“Based on a 2 cent per day fine, this fine would be approximately $760. Adjusted for inflation, it would be approximately $14,000!” He said it had stopped.
When this book was first published, the Poudre Library was the Fort Collins Free Public Library, located in a now-vacant building behind the current library.
“Awesome.” Annaclaire Crampton, Library Digital Communications Specialist said KUSA. “We’re excited that people would think about bringing it back. And it makes for a great story that’s kind of timeless for the book, right?”
The book is still in good condition and was checked out three times before going missing for 105 years.
“This work has been annotated and loved, and I think it has been passed down through the generations, from parents to children,” Crampton told the station.
This book will reportedly be retired as there are other “Ivanhoe” books in the library system that will eventually be housed in local museums or displayed in libraries. I am planning to do so.
