A University of Oxford alum returned three library books to Lady Margaret Hall 20 years after checking them out
The former undergraduate penned a handwritten note, ending the message with, “Please forgive me!”
Lady Margaret Hall replied, ”Thanks to the sender for getting them back home in the end — all is forgiven!”
A college alum made a spine-tingling discovery while spring cleaning!
England’s University of Oxford shared that a former undergraduate recently returned three library books that were checked out two decades ago.
In a May 2 Instagram post, Oxford’s Lady Margaret Hall posted a photo of the books along with a handwritten note from the borrower.
“Dear librarian,” the note began. “Upon sorting through some books and boxes, I discovered that I have inadvertently been in possession of these 3 books since I was an undergraduate 20 years ago. Please forgive me!”
Oxford University/Instagram
The full note a former Oxford student wrote with three overdue books
In the photo, the three books look weathered, with the top book seemingly held together with black tape along the spine.
Lady Margaret Hall responded with forgiveness in its Instagram caption.
“Better 20 years late than never! 📚 This note and three overdue LMH Library books were delivered to our Librarian this week,” it read. “Thanks to the sender for getting them back home in the end — all is forgiven!”
Although it is unclear if this borrower was fined for the books, several of Oxford’s colleges still charge late fees.
As of 2024, 10 of the university’s 30 colleges charged late fines, according to The Oxford Student newspaper, which noted that Lady Margaret Hall students can be fined up to a maximum of £10 (roughly $13) per book.
The PEOPLE App is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more!
While 20 years seems like a long time to receive an overdue book, a New Jersey library recently got back a book that was checked out 99 years ago — after 81-year-old Mary Cooper returned the book checked out by her grandfather at Ocean County Library in Toms River in March 1926.
Read the original article on People
