Better to be late than never? / myLot

A book that was checked out of a library 52 years ago in Indiana is back home

Lake Charles, Louisiana

June 12, 2021 5:21pm CST

I can understand why a young girl who was 11 years of age would miss her chance to return a book named "Little Men" which was the sequel to author Louisa May Alcott's book "Little Women." at a library in Indiana that was due to be returned to the Kokomo-Howard Public Library on July 31, 1969. Melanie Faithful who was 11 years old at that time admitted that due to her family moving around to different states around our nation, she was not able to return the book to the library in Indiana. Melanie who now lives in Santa Fe New Mexico was looking at book that she had in her collection when she saw that she still had a copy of "Little Men" in her possession when she decided to mail the book back to the library in Indiana with a letter stating that she was sorry for being forgetful in returning the book. However the library officials in Indiana have no record of the missing book in their files due to catalog changes. The good news is that library officials in Indiana will not fine Melanie for the book being sent back late since "Little Men" is a young adult or children's book. If the library officials decided to find Melanie, the cost would have been 5 dollars. At least Melanie has peace of mind that she did the right thing in returning a book that she checked out 52 years ago with a donation to the library.

15 people like this

13 responses

any riza

@ladyhero (3846)

• Indonesia

13 Jun 21

he returned the book after 52 years and the fine was only 5$ ? you're not kidding are you?

3 people like this

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

13 Jun 21

No since the book is aimed at kids and young teens according to the laws in Kokomo-Howard Public Library. I wish I was kidding though.

3 people like this

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

13 Jun 21

@ladyhero I agree with you that being honest is the best way to live.

2 people like this

any riza

@ladyhero (3846)

• Indonesia

13 Jun 21

@Deepizzaguy hahaha, but I appreciate the honesty of that person to return, this is the definition of a child and youth book friendly library, good law.

4 people like this

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Dena Miller

@Dena91 (16686)

• United States

13 Jun 21

That is good she returned it back. I did that once with a book, forgot about it, moved and found it later. I mailed it back to the library and I don't think they fined me but I am not 100% sure.

2 people like this

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

13 Jun 21

Thank you for sharing what happened to the book that you returned late to the library.

2 people like this

Kayla Tsukino

@kaylachan (71762)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

13 Jun 21

I've done that, before. I borrowed a book from my local libery in my hometown. Things got hetic, and the book got piled in a bunch of boxes. I found it when I went through the boxes, and we returned it when my hometown a few years later. Officals were justh happy to get the book back.

2 people like this

George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (104150)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

13 Jun 21

That is good to know that you were not fined.

1 person likes this