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| Library book return 46 years late | Library book return 46 years late |
| (2 days later) | |
| A man who borrowed a library book 46 years ago has finally returned it, and avoided a £2,500 fine. | |
| David Hall borrowed the book, Engineering Workshop Practice, for his father from Derby Central Library. | David Hall borrowed the book, Engineering Workshop Practice, for his father from Derby Central Library. |
| Mr Hall, from Derby, was 10 when he took the book out in 1963 and only came across it again when he was clearing out a loft at his late father's home. | Mr Hall, from Derby, was 10 when he took the book out in 1963 and only came across it again when he was clearing out a loft at his late father's home. |
| Derby City Council is currently running a books amnesty, which means Mr Hall does not have to pay the fine. | Derby City Council is currently running a books amnesty, which means Mr Hall does not have to pay the fine. |
| The amnesty, organised by Derby City Libraries, lasts until Wednesday and anyone who has an overdue book on loan can hand it in at any library without being penalised. | The amnesty, organised by Derby City Libraries, lasts until Wednesday and anyone who has an overdue book on loan can hand it in at any library without being penalised. |
| I noticed the amnesty and thought, what a great opportunity David Hall | I noticed the amnesty and thought, what a great opportunity David Hall |
| The council said on average it raised about £40,000 a year in late fees, which is then reinvested into library services. | The council said on average it raised about £40,000 a year in late fees, which is then reinvested into library services. |
| Library officials said that if the daily fine rate had been applied over the 46 years, Mr Hall would have faced a fine of approximately £2,500. | Library officials said that if the daily fine rate had been applied over the 46 years, Mr Hall would have faced a fine of approximately £2,500. |
| Mr Hall said: "I found the book when I was clearing my dad's loft after he died 20 years ago. | Mr Hall said: "I found the book when I was clearing my dad's loft after he died 20 years ago. |
| "I noticed it was the same one I borrowed all those years ago and I thought perhaps that should go back to the library. Then I noticed the amnesty and thought, what a great opportunity." | "I noticed it was the same one I borrowed all those years ago and I thought perhaps that should go back to the library. Then I noticed the amnesty and thought, what a great opportunity." |
| Councillor Joe Naitta, who is responsible for leisure and culture, said the library service wanted to "re-engage" with customers who had incurred fines. | Councillor Joe Naitta, who is responsible for leisure and culture, said the library service wanted to "re-engage" with customers who had incurred fines. |
| "With this amnesty they can now resume library use without worrying about a fee. | "With this amnesty they can now resume library use without worrying about a fee. |
| "This is a one-time offer that I would encourage people to take advantage of," he added. | "This is a one-time offer that I would encourage people to take advantage of," he added. |
| A copy of Engineering Workshop Practice can be bought on a book sale website for 62p. | A copy of Engineering Workshop Practice can be bought on a book sale website for 62p. |
| Advertisement | |
| David Hall admits he was shocked at how long the book had been out for |
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