A book thief has remarkably escaped a $1,600 fine despite returning their library book 44 years late.
An employee of the city's water department in 1979 took out the Chilton's Auto Repair Manual 1954-1963 from the Abilene Public Library in Texas, US.
The member of the public borrowed the book in the same year that Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister and Michael Jackson released his breakthrough album ‘Off the Wall’.
According to the library, the book was 16,060 days overdue, which would have amassed a huge fine of $1,606 (£1,304) after the returnee failed to bring it back.
However, luckily for the water city employee, the library ditched their fee system some time ago and they have avoided a costly fine.
An Abilene Public Library spokesperson said: “Pretty great we've gone fine free.
“Before there were barcodes and scanning and RFID tags, there were cards with pockets.
“This little nugget found its way back to the Abilene Public Library, after being checked out by the Water Department 44 years ago.”
Abilene Public Library posted their find on Facebook writing: "Welcome Home!!!
""That's right... this book was 16,060 days overdue, and would have come with a fine of $1,606.00 in late fees."
The library said if anyone has a late item to return they won't be charged.
A spokesperson for the library said: “Even if you have an item to return that’s a year late, a decade late, and even four decades late, we will still accept it at no charge."
Library users saw the funny side of the rather delayed return as one person commented: "I know City of Abilene, Texas public services tends to be slow, but dang!"
It's not the first time a member of the public has waited a long time to return a borrowed item.
In November 2022, a Beatles cassette was returned to another Texas library 44 years overdue.
The person, who was an avid Beatles fan, loved the song so much they didn't want to return the cassette.
The tape, labelled 'John Lennon and Paul McCartney describe the ‘magic’ of The Beatles', was booked out in 1978.
However, it wasn't put in a drop box at the Westfall Library, San Antonio, Texas, until November 2022.
The library pointed out that they have been “fine-free” since October 2021 and the member of the public avoided a fine.
