Library book is returned after 74 years!
The book is apparently quite rare - and so was the length of time it took to return it
STAFF at a busy library were “stunned” when a book which had been borrowed in 1951 was returned 74 years later.
The book had been taken out on loan by a man named Lawrence Byrne, who sadly passed away in November 2024.
Lawrence’s nephew Patrick Byrne and his son Alexander had been clearing out his late uncle’s house when he discovered the book and decided to return it to Naas Library.
The book is titled by British author Edward Hutton and was published in 1906. Published more than 100 years ago, the book seems to be quite rare.
One copy of the title is available at the University of Galway in the Special Collections section, and is available to students and researchers by request to be viewed in the Special Collections Reading Room.
Google Books wrote about the author: ‘Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive.’
Caoimhe Browne, acting librarian at Naas Library, said: “We were somewhat surprised, but pleasantly so, to see the book.
“Since it was not related to local history or Ireland, we thought it would be appropriate for Mr Byrne to keep it.”
Although fines were abolished in public libraries in 2019, the previous rate was five cents a day. Many think there was a cap of approximately €30 on fines, but if that had not been in place the fine would now have amounted to €1,350.
The library posted the story on social media and said: ‘Published in 1906, you can imagine we were stunned to see this return come in.’
Even though the book was returned seven decades after its initial two-week loan, Naas Library decided to be sound and let this one slide, and said “of course, there was no late fee”.
