An overdue library book returned 51 years later

In July 1899, Aubrey Beardsley’s early workhas been added to the Worcester Public Library collection.

The book, a compilation of illustrations by a British artist and poet, remained in the collection until 1973, when it was withdrawn and never returned.

Just recently, the book was returned by a Boston resident who wanted to prevent it from being thrown away.

It was presented to staff at the Cambridge Public Library, who quickly realized that the book was not in their catalogue.

Then they noticed the original due date: “May 22, 1973.”

Cambridge Public Library Collections Manager Kathy Penny sent the book to the Worcester Public Library with a handwritten note that read, “Returning to its rightful home, 51 years later.”

Alex London, local historian and genealogy librarian in Worcester, was the first to receive the book and was amazed at its response.

“But not only did they find it, but it’s in such good condition.”

London then told Jason Homer, the library’s executive director, who responded with a laugh: “Why did Cambridge have our ’70s book?”

In his 15 years in the industry, Homer said he has seen books come back late, if at all, but never come back after 51 years.

“With something this old, over 100 years old, how many people have touched it? How many people have worked with it, how many people have read it?,” Homer said.

“It’s a really fun thing to think about, preserving the materials that we can have.”

On November 1, the Worcester Library made a Facebook post announcing the book’s long-awaited return.

“Thanks to the Cambridge Public Library (CPL) and the Boston resident who found this book and made sure Aubrey Beardsley’s early work has regained its rightful place in our collection after 51 years,” the message reads.

If the library had still charged late fees, the borrower of the book would have had to pay about $3,000 ($2,000).

However, in 2020, the Worcester Library, along with other libraries around the state, suspended overdue fines, citing research that it did not encourage people to return books at a reasonable time.

The book was 18,738 days overdue, according to Homer.

At the Worcester Library, people have to pay to replace books 42 days after their return date, he said.

“After an item is 6 weeks overdue, we assume it is lost and charge people the cost of replacing the book.” said Homer.

“Unfortunately, since this book was loaned before the Internet, we do not know if anyone was charged for this item.”

The inspiration for the 125-year-old book, Aubrey Beardsley, was a British visual artist who widely influenced modern artists of the late 19th century.

His works are inspired by Japanese woodblock artists and are characterized by a unique style of curved lines, for which he was praised throughout his short career.

Beardsley’s work is said to have influenced the Art Nouveau style, an international decorative art featuring the curves of nature.

Beardsley died at the age of 25 from tuberculosis.

His work continued to influence the modernist and aesthetic movement well after his death in 1898, a year before the book was composed.

“For us, this book is a stark reminder of the need to physically preserve documents and information,” Homer said. “

So much can be lost in the digital world, and as consumption accelerates, this serves as an important reminder that honoring art and expression is an essential part of our experience as humans. »

The book is not currently in the library’s online catalog.

It is now kept in a secure location for preservation purposes and is only available for library reading.