BORROWED TIME: Car Repair Manual Returned To Library 47 Years Late

Astonished library officials have received a car repair manual that was borrowed in 1975 in the post together with a letter of apology.

The Washington County Library System said the book, called Chilton’s Foreign Car Repair Manual: German, Swedish, Italian Cars, Vol. 1, had been sent to one of their branch libraries by post.

An anonymous letter included with the package to the Lake Elmo Library said that the person who borrowed it had been trying to repair a Mercedes-Benz more than 30 years ago.

But the former library card holder had then put the book to one side and forgot to take it back, and he ended up taking it with him when they moved away from the Lake Elmo area several months later.

Picture shows Chilton’s Foreign Car Repair Manual: German, Swedish, Italian Cars, Vol. 1, and an apology letter, undated. A library had the book checked out in 1975 anonymously returned along with the letter in Lake Elmo Library, Minnesota, USA. (@WashCoLib/Newsflash)

The book was then put in a case and forgotten about for 47 years when it was then rediscovered when the person was looking through things he had not seen since the 1970s.

The writer of the letter wrote: “It’s a little overdue, but I thought you might want it back.

“My apologies to anyone in Lake Elmo who was working on an old Benz in the last 47 years.”

The library also said that the person did not have to worry about overdue fees, saying: “Lake Elmo Library recently received a package with an overdue book from the 1970s! It came with a thoughtful letter and a donation to purchase a replacement title.

Picture shows a notice to not remove the due date slip on the book returned 47 years late, undated. A library had the book checked out in 1975 anonymously returned along with an apology letter, in Lake Elmo Library, Minnesota, USA. (@WashCoLib/Newsflash)

“The writer was also concerned about any overdue fees, but since we don’t charge those it’s no problem, we’re just glad to have the book back!”