Book Returned to Estonian Library 69 Years Late

Previous Next

Long Overdue

Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 10:30 am

Book Returned to Estonian Library 69 Years Late Associated Press |

 An Estonian man has returned a library book 69 years late, partly blaming a World War II aerial bombing that damaged the library for the late return.

Ivika Turkson of the Tallinn Central Library says that last week the man in his mid-80s returned the overdue book — which was checked out on March 7, 1944, while Estonia was occupied by Nazi Germany — along with an apology and an offer to pay a late fee.

Turkson said Tuesday that the library waived any penalty for the late return of the tome, which still contained the original emblem and serial number, allowing librarians to identify it.

It was not immediately clear why the man waited so long to return the book, a work of fiction by Estonian author Eduard Vilde.

© 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

• Discuss
• Print

Posted in Weird news on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 10:30 am.