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A British Columbian has been let off the hook by a library in the UK after taking 48 years to return a book.
Wandsworth Libraries, in the south of London, said its copy of A Confederate General from Big Sur by Richard Brautigan was borrowed in early 1974.
The book was returned 48 years and 107 days later after being mailed anonymously from Port Moody.
Tony Spence, 72, later spoke to the BBC to confirm that he was the guilty party – but had forgotten to include a note identifying himself.
Wandsworth Libraries has a new longest overdue book. Returned after 48 years and 107 days. Thank you to whoever sent it back to Tooting Library from Port Moody in Canada. The questions is, how did it get there? pic.twitter.com/5qb1wCHPod
— Wandsworth Libraries (@wandsworthlibs) June 6, 2022
"I decided to return it as I am a great believer in, and supporter of, libraries," he told the broadcaster.
"And also thought staff might get a chuckle.”
The former judge also apologized for his tardiness.
Fortunately for Spence, the library chose to waive its late fees, which could have been nearly $9,700.