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Better late than never? Library book 84 years overdue

Posted at 8:57 AM, Oct 04, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-04 09:57:09-04

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) – A Louisiana library says a book borrowed 84 years ago has been returned by the son of the woman who checked it out as an 11-year-old girl.

A librarian’s note on the Shreve Memorial Library’s Facebook page says the son found the “Spoon River Anthology” while cleaning house.

Spoon River Anthology overdue book courtesy Shreve Memorial Library / Facebook

A library official says it’s in “pretty rough shape,” so probably not worth much. “Spoon River Anthology” is a book of free verse by Edgar Lee Masters, each poem written from the viewpoint of a dead person in the imaginary town.

In a reply to a patron, the Shreveport-based library posted, “We thought that the title was appropriately spooky to turn up again after all this time right around Halloween.”

The library said its maximum fine is $3, and that was waived.