Book returned to Melbourne library after 28 years

A book has been returned to a Melbourne library almost 30 years overdue.

The copy of Best Crime Stories 2, edited by John Welcome, was borrowed from the Ivanhoe establishment in 1984, but was brought back anonymously this week.

Librarian Kerry O'Hara said that she will not be trying to find whoever returned the book.

She told The ABC: "It can't [be used again]. It's too badly damaged. The writers are great writers and good writing doesn't date, but the condition of the book is not good enough to go back in our collection.

"[The book is] no longer on our system. We now charge 25 cents (17p) a day for anything that's due back late, but I think that one we'd have to let go."

O'Hara added that Ivanhoe library caps fines for overdue books at $15 (£10), but going by 2012's library fine rates, the overdue fee on the book would be more than $2,500 (£1,680).

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