Overdue library book eventually returned after 42 years

A copy of William Shirer's "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" checked out of New York's Guilderland Library in April 1974 was returned on Tuesday.



"It's a notable thing. Doesn't happen very often. I've been in libraries for 30 years and this is the most extreme overdue book I'm aware of," said director Tim Wiles.

"He left, he told us he moved to another country and had taken the book with him and moved back but felt it should come back home," explained Wiles.



The usual late fee for a book that is 15,531 days overdue totals $3,106.20. But in this case, the library gave the patron a pass.

With news video.