Montgomery County public library book returned after 73 years by Toronto woman

SILVER SPRING, Md. (FOX 5) - A book has been returned to the Silver Spring Library -- 73 years late!

Montgomery County Public Libraries says the returned children's book was originally borrowed in 1946.

"The Postman" by Charlotte Kuh was mailed back to the library from Toronto, Canada.

The sender of the book said in a letter to the library that her parents borrowed the book from the library in 1946 when she was young.

"This is certainly the oldest thing that I have ever seen come back to us," said acting MCPL Libraries director Anita Vassallo.

And while you would think there would be a hefty fine for a book about 26,280 days past-due, Vasallo says MCPL has no fines on children's materials, and "the maximum fee for any book is $15."

Because of its condition, "The Postman" will not be available for others to borrow, but Vassallo says it will likely be kept in MCPL administrative offices.