BRITAIN’S longest overdue library book has been returned after 313 years — racking up fines of more than ￡54,000.
The 1704 copy of The Faith and Practice of a Church of England Man was handed back late last year.
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Britain's longest overdue library book has been returned after 313 years. Pictured Sheffield Cathedral’s Reverend Canon Keith Farrow Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Sheffield Cathedral’s Reverend Canon Keith Farrow said he got an email from the family of a deceased woman saying she asked in her will for it to be returned
He added: “This little book left the library just over 300 years ago.
"Now it’s come back home so it’s a joy to have this little jewel back in the cathedral.”
A handwritten inscription inside reads: “This Book belongs to ye Lending Library in Sheffield Church 1709.”
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With overdue fines of 50p a day, librarians could have charged the family more than ￡54,000 for the book — which is worth about ￡300.
The canon joked: “We might have got a new roof or something. But I did promise I wouldn’t charge them.”
Sheffield Council has announced it is scrapping fines for all late books.
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A handwritten inscription inside the book reads: 'This Book belongs to ye Lending Library in Sheffield Church 1709' Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk