40 years later, a loaned book is finally returned to Staten Island library branch

New York’s Staten Island. While returning a rented book to the New York Public Library is not uncommon, staff at the Great Kills branch were taken aback when a customer brought back a book that had been checked out forty years prior.

Have you Seen a Comet, a children’s poetry book, was returned by a customer this month. Anne Pellowski’s book, Children’s Art and Writing from Around the World. On March 2, 1984, just three weeks after it was checked out, it was due back.

A customer entered and gave the book back. The book was one of the items left behind by their long-term tenant who was moving out, according to Peter DeLessio, the library information assistant who accepted the book from the customer.

In 1982, the library put the book into circulation for the first time. “The book is still in really good condition upon its return,” DeLessio said, adding that the front of the book has some browning and some water damage, but the pages and illustrations remain clear.

“Have you Seen a Comet?” was the book that was returned. Anne Pellowski’s book, Children’s Art and Writing from Around the World. (New York Public Library, courtesy)The Public Library of New York

I was shocked beyond belief. According to DeLessio, this is not the first time he has received a really old book back. But the due date card was something I had never seen before, and the library used to place pocket cards on the book’s front page. The book was from the Great Kills Library, and it was for the appropriate library. It was very unexpected.

The collections team will evaluate whether the book can be re-entered into the system after the library staff sends it to them. Annamaria Mason, branch manager of Great Kills Library, said that only one copy is now in circulation throughout the entire New York Public Library system.

When customers attempt to return an item, we often check the barcode to make sure it is indeed from the New York Public Library. I’m not sure how [DeLessio] felt, but based on the book itself, it had the New York Public Library stamp, but she said there was no barcode. Thus, that was the first indication that this book was quite old.

Mason pointed out that since the NYPL removed all fines in October 2021, this returned book would encourage others to return past-due library books.

Since we are a library, we just expect that people will feel at ease enough to return items to us, even if they are this old, Mason said. We prefer to give everyone access to our information.

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