Detroit-area library says Chicago man can keep overdue baseball book — 50 years later

DETROIT – Fifty years later, a person who grew up in suburban Detroit tried to return a really overdue baseball guide to his boyhood library.

The reply: You’ll be able to maintain it — and no effective.

Chuck Hildebrandt, 63, of Chicago mentioned he visited the general public library in Warren whereas on the town for Thanksgiving, carrying a guide titled “Baseball’s Zaniest Stars.” He had borrowed it in 1974 as a 13-year-old “baseball nut” however by no means returned it.

“If you’re transferring with a bunch of books, you are not analyzing each guide. You throw them in a field and go,” mentioned Hildebrandt, who has lived in lots of cities. “However 5 – 6 years in the past, I used to be going by way of the bookshelf and there was a Dewey decimal library quantity on the guide. What is that this?”

Contained in the guide was a slip of paper indicating that it was due again on the Warren library on Dec. 4, 1974. Hildebrandt informed The Related Press that he determined to maintain the guide till 2024 — the fiftieth anniversary — after which attempt to return it. He figured the library may wish to publicize the lengthy overdue alternate.

He mentioned he just lately met library director Oksana City, who listened to his pitch. Hildebrandt mentioned he hasn’t heard something since then, although City told the Detroit Free Press that every one is forgiven.

“Some individuals by no means come again to face the music,” she mentioned of patrons with overdue books. “However there was actually no music to face as a result of he and the guide had been erased from our system.”

So “Baseball’s Zaniest Stars” is again on Hildebrandt’s shelf. In return, he is now trying to raise $4,564 for Studying is Elementary, a nonprofit literacy group. The quantity roughly represents a 50-year overdue library effective. Hildebrandt is seeding the hassle with $457.