Century overdue book returns to Paterson Library
PATERSON, N.J. (PIX11) -- We're just creatures in search of a great story, and we all love a good plot twist. But in a library of books filled with mystery and surprise, this was a page-turner.
An unassuming copy of William Shakespeare's Henry V is the talk of the Paterson Free Public Library.
Last month, the library was contacted by a woman in Colorado, saying she had a book for them that was one hundred years overdue.
"It was left in her grandmother's personal belongings," said Corey Fleming, Director of the library system. "It said 'Paterson Public Library,' and she looked up to see if the library was still in existence."
"On the first page, you can see the last checkout date - 2/1/23, the '23 signifying 1923," said Kevin Mak, director of the library's reference department. "Maybe we could have books that have been returned to us about 5 years, 10 years, but this is really something."
While one of the previous borrowers listed the book's condition as 'poor' in 1922, Mak can't believe how well the book's been preserved. "It's yellowish for sure," said Mak, "but it's not brittle, it's not falling apart."
Now that it's home, the book will enjoy its last chapter, being on display, once it's preserved.
In case you were wondering, Fleming says no one will be charged a late fee for this one. In the words of Shakespeare, all's well that ends well.
"It's never too late to bring back library materials," said Fleming.