Book returned to New Jersey library 50 years past due date

April 3 (UPI) -- A New Jersey library was surprised to receive a very overdue book last week.

The Phillipsburg Free Public Library in Phillipsburg, N.J., confirmed Friday that a copy of the Jules Verne book Dropped from the Clouds was brought back more than 50 years later.

"Look what we found in our book drop yesterday!" the library wrote on its Facebook page. "At 50 years overdue, it's not quite as late as some books that have made the news in recent months ... but it's the most overdue book we've seen here!"

The copy of Dropped from the Clouds was due Jan. 5, 1967. Library director Deb Messling told Lehigh Valley Live that staff aren't sure who returned the book, which was in too poor of condition to return to circulation.

"It looks like someone loved it for a long time," she said. "Hopefully it did some good out in the world."

The Phillipsburg library charges a late fee of 10 cents a day, which would amount to more than $1,800 owed for the book in question. The library said it will cap its charge at $3 for whoever returned the book.