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In an exemplification of the adage "better late than never", a book which was borrowed in 1945 has been returned to a library 80 years later. Billingshurst Library recently had a book returned which was borrowed in 1957 - Family Portrait, by Lenore Coffee and William Joyce Cowen - to put on a school production of the play. In a “huge coincidence”, just days later, Steyning Library received a book which had been on loan for even longer.
A copy of The Arts: Painting, The Graphic Arts, Sculpture and Architecture was returned, having been taken out in 1945. Library manager Zoe Gaunt with a book taken out in 1957 (Image: Supplied) Library manager, Zoe Gaunt, said: “It was returned to us by the customer’s nephew who found it in a loft while clearing out. "The customer was conscripted into the Second World War, which explains why it wasn’t returned.
He is still alive, aged 96 and living in New Zealand.” The inside of the book is stamped with the return date: July 13, 1945. Laughing, Zoe said: “We can work out some overdue fines at some point.
” Staff at Steyning Library were shocked to receive a book, loaned 80 years ago (Image: Supplied) To celebrate West Sussex libraries’ centenary, there are an array of “exciting events” planned across the county for the whole of the year, including “Happy Birthday library” children’s events in February half term, a family day at Billingshurst on May 28 and a centenary tea party at Steyning on November 1. The showpiece event is “The Library of Possibilities and Wonder” which will include virtual reality headsets and interactive “augmented reality” posters which will be touring the 36 West Sussex libraries throughout 2025. The inside of the book still has its stamp showing the return date of July 13, 1945 (Image: Supplied).
