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Woman returns overdue library book after 67 years, avoids $21,000 fine

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[Myths and Legends of Maoriland, by AW Reed, has been returned to a New Zealand library 67 years after it was checked out / Photo: Auckland library]

It was better late than never for one New Zealand woman who finally returned her library book after first checking it out in 1948.

The Guardian reports that an Auckland librarian was surprised when an elderly woman walked in with a copy of “Myths and Legends of Maoriland” by AW Reed.

The woman told the librarian she had first checked the book out as a young girl, and had been meaning to return it for the last 67 years.

“She seemed a bit embarrassed but I was pleased because she said she had read and enjoyed the book many times over the decades and that made me happy – that the book had been in a good home and loved,” said librarian Zoe Cornelius.

The overdue book had been on loan for a total of 24,605 days by the time it found its way back, which adds up to quite the bill.

The checkout slip put the library fine under the old New Zealand currency system, with three pence for the first week and an additional penny every day after.

Converted to modern New Zealand currency rates, the fines add up to an impressive $24,605 NZ dollars, or an estimated $21,543 Canadian.

Luckily, children who check out Auckland library books aren’t held under the same strict guidelines as adults. Because the now elderly woman was only a young girl in 1948, she was off the hook for any late fees.