Hopewell, Virginia library's classic book returned almost 50 years after the due date

Leaves of Grass by Walt WhitmanPhoto byAmazon Screenshot

WTVR 6 News reported that a book of poetry was recently returned to a Hopewell, Virginia library almost 50 years after it was checked out.

About the book

The Hopewell Regional Library's copy of "Leaves of Grass," a collection of poetry by Walt Whitman, was checked out on June 3, 1974, according to Adult Services Librarian Catherine Field.

Field said:

"A woman came in and she said she found this book while she was cleaning out her sister's home, and she noticed there was a due date slip in the back."

About "Leaves of Grass"

The library first obtained the recently-returned copy in 1959. The American classic is very popular.

The library no longer charges late fees to encourage overdue book returns. If it had charged for the overdue book, it would cost a fee of about $1,700.

David Jarrett, a library goer, said:

"It's great they dismissed the late fees on it. But it's great the book is back. That's the main thing."

The book will not be returned to the shelf in the library because of its condition.