Books Returned

Two stories of books being returned to libraries in Michigan and Iowa caught my attention over the last week:

Michigan -- Robert Nuranen of Hancock, Michigan returned a book, "The Prince of Egypt", to his local library that he checked out 47 years earlier with a late fee check of $171.32. Apparently he had checked the book out for a high school project but recently found the book in a box in his mother's attic. I admire Mr. Nuranen's honesty - especially the check he wrote - but was disappointed that he admitted he never finished reading the book even after 47 years. Clearly a slow reader :)

Iowa -- Erlene Pattee of Urbandale, Iowa wrote a thank you letter to the Des Moines Register newspaper praising an anonymous Good Samaritan who returned Ms. Pattee's book to the Johnston, Iowa library. Ms. Pattee had left a library book on a flight from Phoenix to Des Moines so she was pleasantly surprised to discover the book had been returned when she called the library to ask for an extension. An impressive display of civility which shows a love for books.

Avoid late fees,

Todd