WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A public library book issued in 1945 racked up more than $6,100 in late fees, but the fine has been waived.
"The Punch Library of Humour" borrowed from the Rotorua Public Library 61 years ago was recently found in the attic of a home in the North Island resort town.
A building inspector recognized the significance of the book and, using the list of borrowing rules pasted to its front cover, calculated what was owed in overdue fines.
The home's owner, Marie Sushames, was presented with the $6,114 bill on her 85th birthday, the Daily Post reported Wednesday.
Rotorua library manager Jane Gilbert said she would be delighted to waive the charges in return for displaying a book that has been checked out for so long.
"It's certainly the longest overdue book I've encountered in my 16 years here," Gilbert said.
Rotorua is located about 290 miles north of Wellington, New Zealand's capital.
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