Library book returned after 150 years, $28k fine waived

It might be about 150 years late, but The Antiquities of Athens has been returned to the New South Wales library from where it was borrowed.The book was discovered in a tea chest bricked into a fireplace by a family renovating their home in Kiama, on the state's South Coast."The family has been in Kiama a long time and discovered this as part of unveiling the old fireplace in the house," Kiama Library manager Michelle Hudson said."They don't know where it came from, but it's lovely that someone thought this would be special to the library, and it is."The book contains historical information, ornate artwork and diagrams. (Supplied: Kiama Library)Despite some damage, the book is still in good condition.As well as the ownership stamp inside the front cover, it also states the library's opening hours, borrowing restrictions and, crucially, fines.At a rate of three pence per week for every week the book is overdue, library staff estimate the book has racked up an overdue bill of $28,000, accounting for inflation."Maybe that's why we can't find out who hired the book and they're keeping their identity quiet," Ms Hudson said.Thankfully, the library no longer charges fines.The book will be stored in a special box that will preserve its condition. (Supplied: Kiama Library)Book to be added to special collectionThe book is no longer available for loan and will instead be added to the library's collection of significant items."We have a place for keeping these little treasures in the library and making sure the community members know about our heritage and our culture, so it's a lovely story," Ms Hudson said."We have our Local Studies collection and when we store things we make sure they're in archival quality boxes so we can keep it in good condition."The library will be the custodian of this book now, but the family who brought it in will be acknowledged as part of us accepting the book and they'll appreciate it has gone to a worthwhile place where it can be shared with the community."The book has been dated to a time when the library operated out of the local School of Arts building. (Supplied: Kiama Library)No drunk patrons allowedAs well as showing that The Antiquities of Athens was the 506th item added to the Kiama Library's collection, the by-laws inside the book give an amusing insight into the process of borrowing a book in 1872 when the laws were passed.Anyone intoxicated was not allowed to borrow a book, and anyone behaving in a disorderly manner would be fined at least five shillings per offence.Book loans were restricted to one volume per person, but exceptions could be made to increase that if a household had six members who could prove they could read."We have a long history of libraries in our local government area and the library has been moved around town a number of times," Ms Hudson said."We have a lovely home now, but libraries have been an important place in our community for a long time."The Kiama School of Arts Hall was one of several locations the Kiama Library has operated from. (Supplied: Kiama Library)The library is located on Railway Parade now, but The Antiquities of Athens was borrowed when the library was in the Kiama School of Arts building.The returned edition was published in 1858 and contains 70 black-and-white illustrations, including some pages that fold out to show larger diagrams."It's only a small book and has a bit of weather damage, because the tea chest probably wasn't the best place to keep it, but people would still like to browse through it," Ms Hudson said.