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Better late than never? Library book 84 years overdue

Posted at 8:57 AM, Oct 04, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-04 09:57:09-04

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) – A Louisiana library says a book borrowed 84 years ago has been returned by the son of the woman who checked it out as an 11-year-old girl.

A librarian’s note on the Shreve Memorial Library’s Facebook page says the son found the “Spoon River Anthology” while cleaning house.

Spoon River Anthology overdue book Shreve Memorial Library
Spoon River Anthology overdue book courtesy Shreve Memorial Library / Facebook

A library official says it’s in “pretty rough shape,” so probably not worth much. “Spoon River Anthology” is a book of free verse by Edgar Lee Masters, each poem written from the viewpoint of a dead person in the imaginary town.

In a reply to a patron, the Shreveport-based library posted, “We thought that the title was appropriately spooky to turn up again after all this time right around Halloween.”

The library said its maximum fine is $3, and that was waived.