Titusville library book returned half a century after its due date

TITUSVILLE, PA. — An overdue library book recently returned to a Pennsylvania library is no longer available for loan.

Instead, it is on display in the Benson Memorial Library in Titusville.

“Lombardi: Winning is the Only Thing” was last released in 1973 and was due to be released on July 26 of that year. Instead, it was returned this fall, 51 years later, along with a donation to cover the fine – if there was one – plus interest.

“It was a huge surprise,” said library Executive Director Jessica Hilburn, who was not working when the patron brought the book and made a donation to the library. “The staff texted me to let me know. We were all stunned.”

The longtime patron of the Benson Library no longer lives in the area but stopped by during a visit several weeks ago, Hilburn said.

“Out of the kindness of his heart, he brought the book back after finding it while looking through some things,” she said.

The library is not releasing the man’s name or the amount of his donation, to protect his privacy, Hilburn said. In a similar case, a book borrowed in May 1973 from the Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts was returned this summer, according to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The Benson Memorial Library shared the news of “Lombardi’s” return on Facebook, describing it as “a wonderful delight we could never have imagined and a story we will remember forever.”

It “brought us so much joy,” Hilburn said.

How much are Benson Memorial Library’s overdue book fines?

The borrower could have simply thrown the book away and ignored the fine. The limitation period for returns, if it existed, would have long passed. And in fact, Benson Memorial Library, as well as the entire Crawford County Federated Library system, no longer has fines for overdue books as of 2021.

The donation made with the book, like any donation, will help the library pay its operating costs, including purchasing materials and subscriptions, Hilburn said.

The kindness of man can further contribute to energizing and promoting the library.

“It was so nice to share his love of the library,” Hilburn said. “Even 51 years after checking out his last book, he still remembers the library and appreciates the services we provide.”

“Lombardi: Winning is the Only Thing,” edited by Jerry Kramer, is about the great football coach Vince Lombardi.

Contact Valerie Myers at [email protected].