William Eichler 01 June 2023

Amnesty sees library book returned 50 years late

A library book amnesty in East Sussex has seen the return of a book that is nearly half a century overdue.

The seven-week book amnesty by East Sussex County Council saw over 750 lost books returned.

One of the books, Havelok The Warrior by Ian Serraillier, was taken out from Hastings library nearly 48 years ago and should have been returned by 14 April 1975.

Cllr Claire Dowling, lead member for transport and environment at East Sussex County Council, said: ‘It’s wonderful to see these books returned to our libraries, and I would like to thank our residents for searching out any overdue items and for taking the time to return them to us.

‘Unfortunately, every year nearly 5,000 books fail to be returned to East Sussex libraries. The amnesty has seen many lost books return to our library shelves so books lovers can enjoy them once again.’

If this story is of interest, then check out our feature, 'Embracing the local library'.

Sign up here to receive our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

#Libraries

Analysis

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.

Opinion

Parks: Councils' secret weapon, not an easy cut

Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd tells LocalGov why councils weighing cuts to green spaces are missing the bigger picture.

Most Popular News

EXCLUSIVE: Reorganisation shake-up

Think tank warns of growing child poverty crisis

Future Sheffield: How one city council is upskilling its workforce

Government publishes social cohesion action plan

Devo minister resigns

New Products

Safeguarding Children - the AAT Way

MSL enhances hygiene auditing with air quality testing for Awaab’s Law compliance

Cadcorp launches Mapestry

Bolton Council Upgrades 120+ School Crossings with Smart CMS Control by Lucy Zodion

NEC CONTRACTS HAS GONE DIGITAL: PAPERLESS, TO GIVE YOU MORE

Vent-Axia Delivers Social Housing a Smart Ventilation Solution Ahead of Awaab’s Law

New remotely lockable cabinet will help manage medication for people with mental health issues

Case Studies

Acrospire Improves Safety Across Greenwich Subways with LED Lighting Upgrade

Cornwall’s Coastal Heritage Lighting Upgraded with Acrospire Lanterns

Acrospire Delivers Durable Handrail Lighting Upgrade for Historical Landmark Jacob’s Ladder

Acrospire Delivers Seamless Heritage Lighting Upgrade on Bath’s North Parade Bridge

Acrospire Delivers Retrofit Lighting for Newbridge’s Joe Calzaghe Footbridge

Acrospire Delivers PIR-Controlled Lighting at Ruislip Lido Car Park

Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street revitalised using Thorn Lighting’s Thor Lanterns and Customisable Gobo Projectors

Company Anouncements

Acrospire promotes LED retrofit for structurally viable lighting assets

Vent-Axia Welcomes the Future Homes Standard as Competency Takes Centre Stage

Apricorn Becomes First and Only Hardware-Encrypted USB Storage Device Manufacturer to Achieve AS9100 Certification

AAT helps Councils step up to address children’s social care

CU Phosco Approved as a Crown Commercial Service Supplier

Acrospire triumphs at the 2025 HEA Awards with Sustainable Project of the Year

TRT Lighting retrofit helps Lincolnshire County Council cut street lighting energy use by over 65%