A library book that was due back in 1983 has finally found its way home, more than four decades later. The Greater Victoria Public Library shared the remarkable return on social media, saying the book may be one of the most overdue items it has ever had returned. The book is “War and Remembrance,” Herman Wouk’s Second World War novel, published in 1978 as the sequel to “The Winds of War.” The story follows the extended Henry and Jastrow families through the Second World War, beginning Dec. 15, 1941, and continuing through Aug. 6, 1945. Library records show the book had been checked out multiple times over the years, dating back to the late 1970s. Its last recorded checkout was Sept. 1, 1983. Caitlin Ottenbreit, co-ordinator of branch operations with the Greater Victoria Public Library, said staff were surprised when they realized just how long the book had been gone. It is not known who returned the book or where it had been. “I mean, we sort of looked at it and went, ‘Hey, where’s the barcode? How do we even check this in?’” Ottenbreit said. The book was checked out before the library’s current computer systems were in place. Inside, it still contains the original card catalogue entry used when it was borrowed. “It would have been pre-computers, pre all of the things that we use for catalogues now,” Ottenbreit said. Ottenbreit estimates the book had been gone for about 15,742 days. That raises an obvious question: What would the late fine be? Ottenbreit did some quick math using the earliest overdue fee schedule she could find, from 1995, when the charge was 20 cents per day. At that rate, she says the hypothetical bill would have been $3,148.40. But the person who returned the book does not have to worry about paying it. The Greater Victoria Public Library went fine free in 2024, meaning overdue fees are removed when materials are returned. “We do obviously want you to bring your things back so that someone else can borrow them,” Ottenbreit said. Ottenbreit said this is the oldest library item she knows of to have been returned, although she has no idea what happened to it during its long absence. She said she would love to know the story behind its journey. “I feel like either it’s the best story in the world or it’s been under someone’s bed,” she said. The library’s message is a gentle reminder that there is no need to be embarrassed about bringing an old library book home. “If you’ve discovered a long-lost library book at home, a friendly reminder that you can return library materials at any branch, any day, any time. No judgment, just happy reunions,” the Greater Victoria Public Library said in a social media post. After 43 years away, “War and Remembrance” is back on the shelf, waiting to be borrowed again.
