150-Year Overdue Library Book Returns to Kianga’s Kiama Library

In late July 2026 a resident uncovered a sealed tea chest behind a fireplace while renovating his Kiama home. Inside lay *Antiquities of Athens*, an illustrated volume published in 1858. The book, listed as No. 506 in the Kiama Library’s 1872 catalogue of roughly 1,000 titles, was handed to library manager Michelle Hudson and will be displayed in the local history collection rather than re-circulated.

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The Kiama public library opened in 1872, initially housed in the Kiama School of Arts building before moving to its current Railway Parade location. Early borrowing rules required patrons to settle any overdue debt before checking out another volume, limited households to three books only if at least six members could prove they could read, and barred anyone “in a state of intoxication” from borrowing.

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*Antiquities of Athens* contains 70 black-and-white illustrations, some of which fold out to larger diagrams. Although water-stained from decades behind a chimney, the volume remains in generally good condition. The inside cover lists a weekly overdue charge of three British pence. Applying that rate to the 150-year lapse and adjusting for inflation yields an estimated fine of about AU $28,000 (? $19,500 USD). Hudson noted that the library’s 1870s borrowing ledger—used to identify the last borrower—has been lost, leaving the debt’s owner unknown.

Book returned to library after 150 years - with a £14,600 late fee

Hudson explained that the library will preserve the book in an archival-quality box and keep it out of circulation. She emphasized that the library no longer levies fines, so no payment will be pursued. The volume will join the Local Studies collection, allowing community members to view the historic work while safeguarding it from further damage.

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The discoverer, Ross Simmons, believes the book may have been borrowed by his great-great-grandfather, John Simmons, who lived in the cottage during the 1870s. Simmons said, “I’m making an assumption. He was in residence in the cottage around about that time and his children were probably too young.”

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• “We’ve never had anything that old come back to us,” — Michelle Hudson, Kiama library manager

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• “Unfortunately, we have a missing link. There’s nothing in the book that tells us who the last borrower was,” — Michelle Hudson, Kiama library manager

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• “We’re not going to allow it to go back out again. We don’t want to wait another 150 years for this book to be returned,” — Michelle Hudson, Kiama library manager

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The book will be exhibited in Kiama Library’s local history collection, secured in archival storage, and referenced in future community heritage programs. No further action regarding the historic fine is planned.

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