Korean Job Discussion Forums

Leslie Cheswyck · Joined: 31 May 2003 Location: University of Western Chile

Man Pays Library $171, 47-Year Late Fee

Sun Jan 7, 10:16 AM ET

HANCOCK, Mich. Robert Nuranen handed the local librarian a book he'd checked out for a ninth-grade assignment � along with a check for 47 years' worth of late fees.

Nuranen said his mother misplaced the copy of "Prince of Egypt" while cleaning the house. The family came across it every so often, only to set it aside again. He found it last week while looking through a box in the attic.

"I figured I'd better get it in before we waited another 10 years," he said after turning it in Friday with the $171.32 check. "Fifty-seven years would be embarrassing."

The book, with its last due date stamped June 2, 1960, was part of the young Nuranen's fascination with Egypt. He went on to visit that country and 54 others, and all 50 states, he said, but he never did finish the book.

Nuranen now lives in Los Angeles, where he teaches seventh-grade social studies and language arts.

The library had long ago lost any record of the book, librarian Sue Zubiena said.

"I'm going to use it as an example," she said. "It's never too late to return your books."

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

I think this is a scandal!

He was 47 years late. 365 days X 47 years = 17,155 days. He was only charged 1 cent a day AND got an 23 cent discount for being honest (I guess.)

My hometown library charged either 2 cents or 3 cents a day back then (I can't remember which.)

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

Actually it's quite funny, thanks LC for posting that. It's is kind of odd news that at least is something everyone can chuckle at a bit.

andrew · Joined: 30 Jan 2003

.....

numazawa · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: The Concrete Barnyard

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

I remember reading once in the Guiness Book of World Records that the world record for an overdue library book is around 110 years. I may not be remembering it correctly, but the book was signed out of a library in Britain in 1810, and was returned by the borrower's grandson sometime around 1920.

Leslie Cheswyck · Joined: 31 May 2003 Location: University of Western Chile

Yes, I remember reading about that. The late fee came to $10,000 or something.

Anyway, here's another:

Overdue Book Returned After 233 Years

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

I don't think it makes any sense for the fine to be more than the cost of replacing the book. Yeah, sure, it's late, but why should a $5 book end up costing over $100, even if it is late? That's the part I never understood about libraries.