Overdue book is a record-breaker

A Rotorua woman may be in possession of the country's most overdue library book.

Among family mementoes discovered in Marie Sushames husband's former family home, is The Punch Library of Humour which was borrowed from the Rotorua Public Library in 1945.

However, Mrs Sushames won't be made to pay the estimated $9000 in overdue fees for the book recently presented to her on her 85th birthday.

It came from Kawerau council building inspector Tony Moller, who recognised the significance of a box in the attic of a house recently moved from Rotorua to Kawerau.

Using the list of strict borrowing rules pasted to the book's front cover, Mr Moller calculates $9000 is owing in overdue fees.

Rotorua library manager Jane Gilbert said she would be delighted to waive the charges -- in return for the privilege of displaying a book that's been "out" for 61 years.

"It's certainly the longest overdue book I've encountered in my 16 years here," Ms Gilbert said.

"It would be very nice to have it on show."

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)