Book returned to Australian library – 150 years overdue
Summary
An Australian library in Kiama received a book called Antiquities of Athens that was about 150 years late. The book was found behind a wall during a home renovation and returned to the library, which first opened in 1872.Key Facts
- The book, Antiquities of Athens, was published in 1858.
- It was returned to the Kiama public library in Australia after being lost for an estimated 150 years.
- The book was found inside a tea crate sealed in a fireplace during a home renovation.
- The book had some water damage but was part of the library’s original collection of around 1,000 books.
- The library’s overdue fee from the 1870s would have been about A$28,000 (US$19,500) today.
- The library lost the record of who last borrowed the book, so they cannot identify the borrower or collect the fine.
- Under old library rules, people could not borrow more books until overdue ones were returned and fines paid.
- The library plans to keep the book in its local history collection and not lend it out again.
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