'Leaves of Grass' returned to Virginia library 50 years after due date

Aug. 27 (UPI) -- A Virginia library had an "exciting return" when a copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass found its way back to the facility after being due back 50 years earlier.

The Appomattox Regional Library System said the book was returned by a patron recently and librarians were stunned to discover how long it was overdue.

"Checked out in 1974, the year our three libraries joined up to become the Appomattox Regional Library System, this book has been returned after 50 years," the library system said on social media.

The post said there won't be any charge for the "exciting return," as the library system went fine-free last year.

It was unclear why the book's return, which was supposed to occur June 3, 1974, took so long.