Former Mayor Finds 71-Year Overdue Library Book In NJ Home
BOUND BROOK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Former Bound Brook, N.J., mayor Frank Ryan said it's been 71 years since he took out a library book, and as he recently found out, it's been 71 years since he returned one.
"My daughter found it upstairs in the attic and nobody as long as I've lived here nobody has ever said anything to me about the book," Ryan told CBS2's Diane Macedo.
That book he's referring to is called "Football Through the Years --" Ryan said he signed it out on June 8th of 1944 and completely forgot he had it, until his wife died in December and his daughter started going through their keepsakes.
"She says you know you're a little late with this book and I said don't tell any body because I don't want to go to jail," Ryan said.
Ryan said his son picked up the phone and turned him in.
"The first I heard was that he was concerned he would go to jail, which he will not -- I can assure him," Bound Brook Memorial Library branch manager Cindy Mangel said.
The going rate for late fines in Bound Brook is 10 cents a day, but Mangel said Ryan doesn't have to worry about that either.
"The Somerset County library system actually caps their fines for an overdue book at $10," Mangel said.
Ryan said he considers the book a good luck charm, especially since he met his wife shortly after taking it out, and now the book is a nice way to reminisce.
"She was the head cheerleader for two years and I was the quarterback," Ryan said.
The library said it would have to evaluate the book's value to the community if it were to re-enter circulation, but only if Ryan chooses not to keep it.
