On June 11, 1864, a Union soldier named C.S. Gates checked out a library book from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Soon after that, the university, then known as Washington College, was sacked by the Union Army at the beginning of the Civil War. Over the years, the book was passed down through the generations of the Gates family until it ended up in the hands of a small-town college football coach. The book was returned to the university library in 2009--145 years later! The fine? $5, 292.50!
At Western-Arcade Library, we’ve never charged a single overdue fine. Our overdue policy is simple. Books are checked out for three weeks. If you don’t renew your books and keep them one week past the due date, we’ll call you. If you don’t return your books after one month, we’ll send you a bill. And if you return your books after we bill you, all is forgiven. There’s no re-stocking fee, no processing fee, nothin’! We’re not in the business of making money, but modeling grace. So please return your books. Your fellow students will appreciate it.
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