Better late than never. The Hull Central Library in the United Kingdom told the BBC an incredible story of a book returned more than 50 years late. A borrower, who wished to remain anonymous, came to bring back at the beginning of 2025 a copy of Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell which he should have returned… in 1974.
All without even getting a fine. The library has stopped issuing penalties because of delays during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The smell of “old books”
“At the time, there were fines for late returns – and there is a strict notice printed inside the book to remind users of this,” Katie Holdstock, from the library service, told the BBC. of the English city. We removed library fines during the pandemic and never imposed them again. We want there to be as few barriers as possible for patrons using our libraries. »
-But the story is not all rosy either. After 50 years spent away from the shelves, the book, in too poor condition, could not find its place. “It smelled musty. It’s exactly the one found on our library shelves, where we keep old books that aren’t on our public shelves, in case someone asks for one! “, explains Katie Holdstock.
The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell, the work devoted to the working classes of the north of England, will therefore never find a buyer again.
