After 119 years, a book that was taken from a US library is finally returned
A book that was taken out of the New Bedford Free Public Library in Massachusetts, United States, has been returned after more than a century. An Elementary Treatise of Electricity by James Clerk Maxwell took 113 years to return, which astounded libraries. The rare book curator at West Virginia University Libraries, Stewart Plein, reportedly came upon this long-lost book while sorting through a recent gift of volumes, according to the NY Post story. Plein found this specific treatise among the donated volumes and immediately understood its importance. It was discovered that the book had previously been a part of the New Bedford Library’s collection. The really amazing thing was that, although being very late, the book hadn’t been thrown out since it hadn’t been listed as “withdrawn” in 1904. Plein contacted Jodi Goodman, the special collections librarian in New Bedford, to inform her of the discovery.
When the book was returned, Olivia Melo, director of the New Bedford Public Library, expressed her amazement at its immaculate condition. This was returned in fantastic shape, she stated. Because it was in such fantastic condition, “someone obviously kept this on a nice bookshelf and probably got passed down in the family.”
The 1881 treatise has a significant historical significance. It was published barely two years after James Clerk Maxwell, its renowned author and a trailblazer in the science of electromagnetic, passed away. The cranberry-colored book, which has since returned to the New Bedford library, is not regarded as a rare publication, nevertheless.
Although libraries often encounter overdue books, this return is unheard of. Melo claims that the library does sometimes get volumes that are 10 or 15 years overdue, but never more than a century. The fact that printed books are not “digital” and will not “disappear” was highlighted by the speaker as evidence of their lasting importance. She continued by explaining that you may sense a connection to someone who touched a book 120 years ago when you hold it in your hands. It will still be standing in a century from today. The printed book will always be worthwhile, she said.
