Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Ancient Athens Book Retrieved from Fireplace, $28K Fine

8/2/2026

26 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Library manager Michelle Hudson announced the book Antiquities of Athens was returned after Ross Simmons found it bricked in a fireplace.
Hudson said the overdue fine would be about 28,000 Australian dollars, based on the three-pence-a-week fee, and that 1870s borrower records are lost, preventing identification of the last borrower.
The volume will be placed in the history collection and displayed in an archival box, never to be loaned again.

1 of 1

Story summary

Library manager Michelle Hudson announced the book Antiquities of Athens was returned after Ross Simmons found it bricked in a fireplace.
Hudson said the overdue fine would be about 28,000 Australian dollars, based on the three-pence-a-week fee, and that 1870s borrower records are lost, preventing identification of the last borrower.
The volume will be placed in the history collection and displayed in an archival box, never to be loaned again.