The most overdue library book in North Tyneside’s history has finally been returned - some 56 years late.
Lesley Harrison, 70, and now of Shiremoor, borrowed German language textbook ‘Ich Lerne Deutsch’ from the old Whitley Bay library in April 1966, when she was just 14 years old.
England were still preparing for the World Cup, with families around the country paying nine shillings a week to rent a television to catch a glimpse of Alf Ramsey’s men in action.
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Meanwhile, Lesley was gearing up to set the record for North Tyneside’s most overdue book, before its eventual return in December last year.
“I was doing O-Level German at Whitley Bay Grammar School and went on to do A-Level German, as well as French, and I later taught myself Spanish. I don’t remember very many words of German,” said record-breaking Lesley.
“I knew I hadn’t brought the book back and when I moved out of my parents’ house, I thought I wouldn’t be able to afford the fine, so it stayed in a drawer. We moved around a lot, and it always came with me.
“When I heard about the amnesty, I thought ‘I’m sure I’ve got an old book lying around somewhere,’ and I know the library staff were shocked and amused when I brought it in. It’s still in good condition though. I do look after my books.”
Libraries on Tyneside recently introduced an amnesty, meaning anyone with an overdue book can return it without paying the charge.
This was good news for Lesley, who, returning her book 20,656 days after its three-week loan period, would have been liable for £2,000 in late charges.
Councillor Sandra Graham, cabinet member responsible for libraries at North Tyneside Council, said: “The book is in a great condition, and I want to thank Lesley for bringing it back. We’ve had such a positive response to our decision to scrap fines and this is the oldest book we’ve had back by some distance. Better late than never.”
The world record for the most overdue library book is held by Scriptores Rerum Germanicarum Septentrionalium, Vicinorumque Populorum Diversi, which was returned to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, in 1956 – 288 years overdue.
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