We recently received an interesting package sent here from Virginia. Inside was a library book that was due on October 11th, 1933, one month shy of 90 years ago. The book, “Youth and Two Other Stories” by Joseph Conrad, was published in 1925. Now, I know what you are all thinking; I wonder how much that would be in overdue fees? At twenty cents a day, it seems like the fine could easily have reached over $6,400. But no, the real answer is only $5!
When a library book has not been returned after 30 days, it is considered “lost” and the patron is billed for the initial price of the book. However, when the book is returned, it reverts back to the maximum fine which is five dollars. No matter how long a Larchmont Public Library book is overdue, if it gets returned, the maximum fine is a whopping five bucks. Thanks to Joanie Morgan who discovered the book among her step-father’s belongings, it is now back at the Larchmont Library.