Better late than never? Library book 84 years overdue

SHREVEPORT, La. – A Louisiana library says a book borrowed 84 years ago has been returned by the son of the woman who checked it out as an 11-year-old girl.

A librarian’s note on the Shreve Memorial Library’s Facebook page says the son found the “Spoon River Anthology” while cleaning house.

A library official says it’s in “pretty rough shape,” so probably not worth much. “Spoon River Anthology” is a book of free verse by Edgar Lee Masters, each poem written from the viewpoint of a dead person in the imaginary town.

In a reply to a patron, the Shreveport-based library posted, “We thought that the title was appropriately spooky to turn up again after all this time right around Halloween.”

The library said its maximum fine is $3, and that was waived.