74-years-overdue book returned to Berkeley Library

Berkeley resident Jean Durham returns a 74-years-overdue book at the Berkeley Public Library. Berkeley resident Jean Durham returns a 74-years-overdue book at the Berkeley Public Library. Photo: Courtesy: Berkeley Public Library Photo: Courtesy: Berkeley Public Library Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close 74-years-overdue book returned to Berkeley Library 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

It’s never too late.

At least that’s what lifelong Berkeley resident Jean Durham thought when she returned a book to the Berkeley Public Library recently —after 74 years.

As first reported by Berkeleyside, Durham was cleaning out her study when she discovered a copy of Sir Walter Scott’s “Lady of the Lake” that her mother had checked out in 1945. The due date was Sept. 10 of that year.

“[It was] behind a bunch of other books in my home as I was cleaning out my study. My mother must have checked it out in early 1945,” Durham told Berkeleyside. “My mother did buy some books but mostly she came to the Berkeley Public Library. We were always surrounded by books.”

Durham told the library she wasn’t worried about getting a fine and simply wanted to get the book back to the library as soon as possible. The Berkeley Public Library eliminated fines in July 2018 for the late return of teen and adult books, DVDs, CDs and magazines.

“Our circulation has increased [since we eliminated fines],” said Amy Reeder, Communications for the Berkeley Public Library. “People thought people wouldn’t bring back books, but that absolutely hasn’t happened and in fact, when they’re 74 years old they bring them back!”

The book is currently at the Central branch of the Berkeley Public Library. Reeder said the book is in great shape and it is currently on display at the front circulation desk.

Tessa McLean is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her at tessa.mclean@sfgate.com.