Library book returned after 25 years

NORFOLK, Va., Oct. 12 (UPI) -- A Virginia woman said she returned a library book she checked out in 1986 and subsequently lost to end her "life of crime."

Donna Corbus of Portsmouth said she checked out "Butterflies are Free" from the Norfolk Public Library in 1986 because she was considering auditioning for the play and the tome apparently wound up in a box marked "pictures" when she moved a short time later, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot reported Tuesday.

"I am embarrassed to return this book, 'Butterflies are Free,' after such a long time," Corbus wrote in a letter to the library. "My daughter, who was a baby at the time I borrowed the book, now has a master's degree and just bought her first house."

Corbus returned the book during an amnesty program, which allowed those with overdue books to make food donations instead of paying fines.

"Thank you for offering fine amnesty; it allows the guilt ridden, like me, a chance to redeem ourselves," Corbus wrote. "After 24 years, the butterflies aren't the only ones that are free, finally so am I!"

Sean Bilby, collection development librarian for the library, said the book will likely be returned to circulation.