An extremely overdue book has been returned to a Massachusetts library 119 years later

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119 Years Later: Long Overdue Book Returns to Massachusetts Library

In a remarkable turn of events, an astonishingly overdue book has finally made its way back to the New Bedford Free Public Library in Massachusetts, a staggering 119 years after it was checked out. The book in question is “An Elementary Treatise on Electricity” by James Clerk Maxwell, borrowed on February 14, 1904, during a time of burgeoning interest in the potential of this fundamental force of nature.

The incredible reunion between the scientific text and its original home occurred thanks to the observant eye of Stewart Plein, the curator of rare books at West Virginia University Libraries. While sorting through a recent donation of books, Plein came across the treatise and noticed that it had once been a part of the New Bedford library’s collection. Crucially, it had not been stamped as “Withdrawn,” indicating that despite its extreme tardiness, the book had not been discarded.

Realizing the significance of the find, Plein promptly reached out to Jodi Goodman, the special collections librarian in New Bedford, to share the exciting news. Upon examining the returned book, Olivia Melo, the Director of the New Bedford Public Library, marveled at its remarkably well-preserved condition, suggesting that it had been cherished on a bookshelf and possibly passed down through generations.

Originally published in 1881, a couple of years after Maxwell’s demise in 1879, the cranberry-colored edition of the treatise now back in the New Bedford library is not considered a rare copy, according to Melo. Although the library occasionally receives books that are 10 or 15 years overdue, nothing comes close to the century-long absence of this particular volume.

At the time the book was last in New Bedford, the world was still grappling with the potential of electricity. In 1880, Thomas Edison secured a groundbreaking patent for his incandescent lamp. Meanwhile, the nation was eagerly anticipating its second modern World Series, Theodore Roosevelt was on his way to winning another term as President, the Wright brothers had recently accomplished their first airplane flight, and New York City was celebrating the inauguration of its inaugural subway line.

The return of this long-lost book serves as a testament to the enduring power of printed literature, even in an age dominated by computers and instant access to vast amounts of information, remarked Melo. She emphasized the value of physical books, noting their resilience against digital disappearance. Holding this centuries-old volume evokes a sense of connection with individuals who read it over a century ago, and it serves as a tangible reminder that it will still be cherished for generations to come.

As for the late fee, the New Bedford library charges 5 cents per day. Based on this rate, returning a book that is overdue by 119 years would typically incur a substantial fee of over $2,100. However, the library’s late fee limit caps at $2, so the fortunate returnee of this long-lost book won’t face an exorbitant penalty.

In addition to the awe-inspiring nature of the discovery, Melo believes that the incident teaches an important lesson: it is never too late to return a library book.

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More about overdue book

• New Bedford Free Public Library
• James Clerk Maxwell – An Elementary Treatise on Electricity
• West Virginia University Libraries
• Thomas Edison and the Incandescent Lamp
• The Wright Brothers
• History of New York City Subway
• The Value of Printed Books in the Digital Age
• Importance of Libraries and Printed Books
• Library Late Fee Policies