List of returned long-overdue library books
Many books have been borrowed from a library and only returned after decades or centuries. These are often found when people go through their deceased relatives' belongings. Some libraries have foregone overdue fees to encourage use of their services, possibly leading to more of these returns taking place. Some of these cases have been listed by publications such as Reader's Digest, and multiple examples have been listed by The New York Times.
, the Guinness World Record for "most overdue library book" is held by a 1609 German book about the Archbishop of Bremen, which was borrowed from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge by Colonel Robert Walpole in 1667–68 and found by Professor John H. Plumb 288 years later in the library of the then Marquess of Cholmondeley at Houghton Hall, Norfolk. In most of these cases, late fees for the books are either waived, in amnesty, or already abolished by the time they are returned. However, as of 2025 the world record for "largest library book fine paid" is held by the book Days and Deeds, which was returned after 47 years with a cheque worth $345.14.