A man returned a library book to Kungälv City Library nearly five decades after its due date. The book, 'Nu var det 1914' by Nobel laureate Eyvind Johnson, was found during a home cleanup. Despite the potential for a hefty late fee, the man faced no charges. The library is now deciding whether to re-circulate the book or give it a special place on the shelf.
Library Mystery: Book Returned After 49 Years
Library Mystery: Book Returned After 49 Years
Librarians at Kungälv City Library were taken aback when a man approached the loan desk.
In the Nobel Prize-winning author Eyvind Johnson's novel 'Nu var det 1914', 14-year-old Olof leaves his foster family to embark on life's great journey.
And now Olof—or at least the book about him—has come home again.
Recently, librarian Jeanette Sörbom at Kungälv City Library received a copy of 'Nu var det 1914'—after 49 years of wandering in the wide world. Specifically, it had been on a bookshelf in Kungälv.
An elderly man walked into the library.
"He said he was cleaning out his bookshelf at home and discovered he had a library book that hadn't been returned. He mentioned it was 'a bit late' and showed the back, which stated the return date was September 29, 1976," Jeanette said.
She didn't catch much more about the man or the circumstances.
"He thanked us and left. So unfortunately, I didn't get many more answers."
Is this a record for late returns that we've just witnessed?
"We've been talking about it for a couple of days now, and there's nothing recorded that we've received such late books. Maybe a year or so late, but not like this."
What Happens to the Book Now
The book is in excellent condition, and according to Jeanette, they receive new books that are much more worn after normal lending.
Currently, it resides in her office, but the question is what happens next. Will it embark on another journey, or will it retire at the library?
"There's an ongoing discussion about whether to put it back in the system or have a special shelf for it. We could keep the card, but maybe not allow it to be borrowed. We're a bit worried people might try to break this record," Jeanette laughs.
The book has also been featured in the local newspaper Kungälvs-Posten.
It's getting a bit of celebrity treatment now.
"Yes, it really is. It's more famous than I am here now. So we're sticking together for a while."
How Expensive the Delay Could Have Been
The late fee is usually 10 kronor per week started.
If that rate had applied since 1976, the bill could have reached up to 25,000 kronor, but since the fee has changed over the years, it's impossible to say exactly, according to Jeanette.
Though the thought is intriguing, of course.
The man, however, did not have to pay anything.
Jeanette thinks it was both honest and brave of the man to return the book.
"Yes, and after all these years, to still feel that 'oh, no, I shouldn't have this,'" she says.
"I thought it was very nice because it wouldn't have affected him to keep this book either, as it's long since been written off. So it's nothing we would have done anything about."