A library book has been returned 43 years overdue - but the mystery remains as to who kept it for all those years. The team at Newport News Public Library, in Virginia, America, has welcomed home a copy of A.J.P Taylor's How Wars Begin that was checked out on March 23, 1980.
However, rather than handing it into a team member, the reader decided to drop it into their return box instead, possibly due to the embarrassment for keeping it for over four decades. Upon discovering it, one of their librarians wrote on Facebook: "Grissom Library's staff had a most unusual book returned in their book drop. The book was due on March 23, 1980.
"We believe this is a new record for a late returned book for Newport News Public Library. We do not have checkout records that go back that far, so the mystery returner just will receive our thanks."
Some users speculated that it could have been dropped off without warning because the reader didn't want to incur a hefty late fee - but the library confirmed they do not charged for overdue books.
When asked 'How much is that overdue fine', the librarian added: "No fines, our records do not go back that far. We do not even know who checked it out. It is nice they returned the book."
Commenting on their post, one user said: "I kind of want to read it."
Another user added: "I am invested in this story. Whomever returned it, please let us know the backstory."
A third user said: "How amazing!"
It comes just weeks after a man returned a book overdue by 44 years to Abilene Public Library in Texas, America.
The copy of Chiton's Auto Repair Manual 1954 - 1963 was signed out in the late 1970s - and would have cost the reader a $1,606 (£1,304.81) fine if they hadn't gone "fine free" in recent years.
Taking to Facebook, a team member wrote: "Welcome home! Before there were barcodes and scanning and RFID tags, there were cards with pockets.
"This little nugget found it's way back to the Abilene Public Library, after being checked out by the Water Department 44 years ago!
"That's right - this book was 16,060 days overdue, and would have come with a fine of $1,606 in late fees. Pretty great we've gone fine free."
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