Library Book Returned 81 Years Late. Perhaps the Borrower Thought He Was Doing Other Patrons a Favor Keeping It.
- by Michael Stillman
Library card image from the Timberland Regional Library (formerly Aberdeen Public Library).
There seems to have been a rash of stories about long overdue library books being returned many years late recently. Perhaps people's consciences have become more sensitive, or maybe it's because most libraries have eliminated overdue book fines. It's safe now. Whatever the reason, this book was returned 81 years late to the Timberland Regional Library in Aberdeen, Washington.
The book was The Bounty Trilogy, a book consisting of three novels by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall. It includes their best known novel, Mutiny on the Bounty, along with Men Against the Sea and Pitcairn's Island. It was taken out by a man who has not been identified but who died in 2001. It was borrowed in March 1942 and was supposed to be returned within two weeks. After that, a fine of 2 cents a day was charged. They calculated the fine to be $484.80. If that sounds a bit low, they didn't charge fines on Sundays or holidays. However, Timberland was one of those libraries that eliminated overdue book fines so nothing was due.
The book was discovered in a storage trailer. The finder, evidently a believer in the old adage, “better late than never,” did the right thing and returned it. The grateful library posted on their Facebook page, “The moral of this story? If you have an overdue book collecting dust - return it to the library. We'll take it back, and the bounty will be considered paid.”
The book, particularly the first part, Mutiny on the Bounty, received excellent reviews when released and has long been very popular. You can still borrow a copy from the Timberland Library today. However, the borrower clearly was not impressed. Perhaps he kept it to spare others from suffering through it. He has written a terse comment inside, “I wouldn’t read this if I was paid to.” He never finished it.
Sotheby’s Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana 27 January 2026
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: An extraordinary pair of books from George Washington’s field library, marking the conjunction of Robert Rogers, George Washington, and Henry Knox. $1,200,000 to $1,800,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: An extraordinary letter marking the conjunction of George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Benjamin Franklin. $1,000,000 to $1,500,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: Virginia House of Delegates. The genesis of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. $350,000 to $500,000.
Sotheby’s Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana 27 January 2026
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: (Gettysburg). “Genl. Doubleday has taken charge of the battle”: Autograph witness to the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, illustrated by fourteen maps and plans. $200,000 to $300,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: President Lincoln thanks a schoolboy on behalf of "all the children of the nation for his efforts to ensure "that this war shall be successful, and the Union be maintained and perpetuated." $200,000 to $300,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.
![<b>Sotheby’s, Jan. 27:</b> [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/9d2762bc-9f26-47ef-96de-1c28070e19f6.png "<b>Sotheby’s, Jan. 27:</b> [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.")