What You Need to Know
• A book titled “Antiquities of Athens,” published in 1858, was returned to Kiama Library, Australia, 150 years late.
• The late return fine for the book is estimated at around 28,000 Australian dollars ($19,500) due to inflation.
• Kiama Library manager Michelle Hudson stated that the library cannot trace the last borrower due to lost records.
An Australian public library, Kiama Library, has received a book titled “Antiquities of Athens,” published in 1858, that was returned approximately 150 years late. The book was found by a man during home renovations inside a tea crate bricked into a sealed fireplace. Kiama Library manager Michelle Hudson noted that the overdue fine would be around 28,000 Australian dollars ($19,500), calculated based on a historical fee of three pence per week. Unfortunately, the library lacks the records to identify the last borrower, as the journal from the 1870s documenting borrowings has been lost. The book, which has some water damage, will be displayed in the library’s local history collection to prevent it from being borrowed again.
Why It Matters
This incident highlights the historical significance of public libraries and their collections, especially in preserving cultural artifacts. The return of such an old book underscores the challenges libraries face in tracking borrowed items over long periods. Additionally, it reflects changes in borrowing policies and societal norms regarding literacy and responsible borrowing since the library’s establishment in 1872. The book’s return after so many years serves as a reminder of the evolving relationship between libraries and their patrons.
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