Book borrowed from London library returned 59 years late

An overdue book borrowed from a central London library has finally been returned – 59 years later.

The musical score of Tchaikovsky’s fourth symphony should have been taken back to Westminster Music Library in Victoria by June 14, 1954.

But it was never seen again until senior library assistant Anthony McDonald recently received it in the post from the Royal Academy of Music with a note to say the book had been given as an anonymous donation.

The current fines for overdue items from Westminster’s libraries is 25p per day, which means that over the period the borrower could have amounted a fine of around £5,500.

Mr McDonald said it was impossible to know who was the last to borrow the score as it pre-dates the electronic lending system but added: “We are obviously glad to see it returned.”

The Westminster Music Library, which last year had 55,000 visitors and loaned 25,000 items, is the UK’s largest public music collection holding more than 82,000 items.