Published 00:55 IST, April 4th 2022

'Antique' book returned to library in London Varsity after 50 yrs; 'Please don't just...'

According to London outlet Evening Standard, the book is the 1875 edition of a play called 'Querolus', which was due to be returned to the UCL Library in 1974.

Reported by: Purnima Mishra
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It can be said without any doubt that bookworms would certainly claim a huge collection of novels and many reing enthusiasts would prefer to own ir book collection rar than renting m out of libraries and later going through hassles of returning m. re may be times when one would wish to re-re a particular book even after having re it once. However, what if someone was so crazy about a particular book and returned it after deces? What if such an incident actually happened? In a bizarre incident, an 'antique book' was returned to University College London (UCL) '50 years' after its original due date after being borrowed.

According to London outlet Evening Standard,  book is  1875 edition of a play called 'Querolus', which was due to be returned to UCL Library in summer of 1974. Howerver, university’s librarian, Suzanne Traue, said, “My jaw dropped when I re note after discovering book."  'antique' book was sent back to library anonymously and she found it upon returning to library after 18 months of working from home. Evening Standard also reported, “At a rate of 10p per day, library fine for book’s late return would have been £1,254 (approx over Rs 1 lakh).”

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Meanwhile, Evening Standard reported that anonymous borrower returned overdue book with a note instructing librarian not to throw it out, as borrower h 'taken time and trouble to return it.' 

note re, “Dear Librarian, I fear this book is some 50 years overdue! Please don’t just throw it out, now that I’ve taken time and trouble to return it. It must be an ‘antique’ by now.'' 

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According to Evening StandardProfessor Gesine Manuwald, he of Greek and Latin department at University College London, stated, “It is amazing to see such loyalty from a former user of UCL Library that y bring back a book after almost 50 years." He ded, “In a sense this book is ‘antique’ since it dates from 1875, but it is still most recent edition of work in standard Teubner series of scholarly editions of ancient Greek and Latin texts.'' Furrmore, UCL Libraries encourages customers to return ir books on time, but automatic revivals have been in place since March 2021.

Netizens' reactions to UCL's post

tweet was shared by UCL news on its official twitter handle, and post garnered several reactions from online community. On or hand, post has attracted several reactions like, “I, too, would have returned this book anonymously. Cost of living is rising and all that!”  second re, “Sorry but if library is going to charge me £1,200 for an overdue book I am keeping it, I'm trying to return a book not buy library.”

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00:55 IST, April 4th 2022