Book Returns After 51 Years to Bibliotheek Amstelland
amstelveen, vrijdag, 25 juli 2025.
After being on loan for more than 18,000 days, the book ‘The Shot in Sarajevo’ by Sven Ulric Palme has recently been returned to Bibliotheek Amstelland. The book, originally borrowed in 1974, was found among the deceased borrower’s possessions. The library will give the book a special place without charging any late fees. This unique incident highlights the enduring bond between libraries and their readers.
A Unique Return
After being on loan for more than 18,000 days, the book ‘The Shot in Sarajevo’ by Sven Ulric Palme has recently been returned to Bibliotheek Amstelland. The book, originally borrowed in 1974, was found among the deceased borrower’s possessions. The library will give the book a special place without charging any late fees. This unique incident highlights the enduring bond between libraries and their readers [1][2][3].
Historical Context
Sven Ulric Palme, the author of ‘The Shot in Sarajevo’, was a Swedish historian and professor at the University of Stockholm. His work covers a broad range of historical topics, from medieval Sweden to modern political history. The book itself deals with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914, an event that directly led to the outbreak of the First World War [2].
The Long Journey of the Book
According to the then-standard lending card, the book was due back at the library by 19 July 1974. It was borrowed from the branch of the Cooperative Libraries located at Lindenlaan 145 in Amstelveen, which opened in January 1961 and had the book in its collection since November 1969. The name Cooperative Libraries and the branch no longer exist, so the book has now been offered to the current main branch of Bibliotheek Amstelland [1][2][3].
Library’s Response
The library reacted enthusiastically to the return of the book. A library staff member stated: ‘This is a unique event in our archive. We are very grateful that the book has been returned and will give it a special place in the library.’ Of course, no late fee will be charged, given the extraordinary circumstances of its return [1][3][4].
Impact on the Community
This event demonstrates the long-term relationship between libraries and their readers. The book was found among the deceased borrower’s possessions, showing how long books can sometimes remain within families. The library hopes that this incident will inspire others to return old books that may have been borrowed for years [1][2][3].