CARBONDALE, Pa. — The pages of 'The Cruise of the Esmeralda' are yellow, and the binding is a bit worn.
The book was recently returned to the Carbondale Public Library after it was signed out in 1904!
"Well this is the first one that I know that has been overdue 120 years," said library employee Jessica Pratt.
It was employees at the Hawley Library in Wayne County who found the book while going through donations for its book sale. They called the Carbondale Public Library and said they wanted to return it.
"When they sent it to us, we just assumed it was an older book that had, you know, the library markings on it. So we were quite surprised when we saw the library card in it and realized that it was probably borrowed and never returned," Pratt said.
The library card is still in great shape in the back of the book. It was a man named Horace Short who signed the book out more than a century ago.
"If we use the cost of the book when he checked it out, it would have come out about $870 for a late fee. If we use today's fine, which is 25 cents a day, it comes out to over $10,000, so Horace is very lucky that we cap book finds at $10 now," Pratt said.
Library employees say they've heard of books being returned decades after they were last signed out and never expected to be part of a story like this one. This book won't go back into circulation but will remain at the library.
"It's going to be added to our archives because of its historical value as a piece of library memorabilia. By coincidence, actually, next year is the library's 150th anniversary. So it'll be going on display on display then with some of our other materials."
Let this be a friendly reminder to check your shelves for any overdue books.
See the full interview for more details about Mr. Short and finding the book here:
