British woman who kept library book for 56 years finally gives it back

A woman has finally returned a library book she borrowed when she was just 14 years old. Lesley Harrison, 70, returned the book after 56 years. She borrowed ‘Ich Lerne Deutsch’ while studying for a German O-Level at Whitley Bay Grammar School in 1966.

A note on the inside cover asks to return the book within 21 days or a fine of 3d (three pence) per week would follow. Ms Harrison said she decided to return the book after hearing that the council had dropped the lateness charge and was offering a prize for the most overdue book in North Tyneside. She decided to personally deliver the book to the Killingworth Library.

There could be a hypothetical fine of more than $2,000 in today’s money on the book.

The 70-year-old, who lives in Shiremoor, said: “I did O-Level German at Whitley Bay Grammar School and then went on to do A-Level German as well as French and later taught myself Spanish. I don’t remember much words German.’

She added: “I knew I hadn’t returned the book and when I left my parents’ house I thought I wouldn’t be able to pay the fine, so it stayed in a drawer. We moved around a lot, and it went always with me.”

“When I heard about the amnesty I thought ‘I’m sure I still have an old book somewhere’, and I know the library staff were shocked and amused when I brought it in. It’s still in good condition though I’ll take care for my books,” she said.

The former civil servant who once thought of becoming a librarian has an otherwise spotless book-lending record and has never been late on a book return since moving back to North Tyneside from Chester-Le-Street in 2013.

“We came back in 2013 and I’ve been very good at returning books ever since; I don’t think I’ve ever paid a fine. I’ve been scrupulous about returning the books or renewing them online.”

Councilor Sandra Graham, cabinet member responsible for Libraries, said: “Just for fun we have done a rough calculation of the late fee a book that is 56 years overdue could have incurred and that would have worked out at over £2,000. ” She added: “We’ve had such a positive response to our decision to cut fines and this is by far the oldest book we’ve got back. Better late than never!”

The book is now stored in the municipal archives.

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