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View Full Version : George Washington (our first President) racks up late fees at NY library


catlover79
04-17-2010, 06:48 PM
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100417/ap_on_fe_st/us_odd_george_washington_library_fines

Sat Apr 17, 2:13 pm ET
NEW YORK – If George Washington were alive today, he might face a hefty overdue library fine.

New York City's oldest library says one of its ledgers shows that the president has racked up 220 years' worth of late fees on two books he borrowed, but never returned.

One of the books was the "Law of Nations," which deals with international relations. The other was a volume of debates from Britain's House of Commons.

Both books were due on Nov. 2, 1789.

New York Society Library head librarian Mark Bartlett says the institution isn't seeking payment of the fines, but would love to get the books back.

The ledger also lists books being taken out by other founding fathers, including Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr and John Jay.

The entry on Washington simply lists the borrower as "president."

Family Ties Forever!
04-17-2010, 07:24 PM
Wow. Why would they cotinue to have late fees for those two books when they know President George Washington passed away so long ago? I can only imagine the dollar amount owed. At least they don't expect the fine to be paid.

catlover79
04-17-2010, 09:28 PM
I know - it just boggles the mind. I haven't heard anyone release a dollar amount...I'd love to hear it!!

Retro4Life
04-17-2010, 10:47 PM
Yes, it's really generous of them to forgive the late fees for one of the most popular presidents in U.S. history! :lol:

catlover79
04-18-2010, 12:02 AM
Our local news tonight calculated how much the fees would be now, with inflation, etc. It would total about $300,000. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Tweety
04-18-2010, 07:24 AM
Did those guys have to sign the books out?

Washington? Hamilton? Burr? Jay? Wow, that's some autograph collection!

HuntingtonM15
04-18-2010, 03:58 PM
Did those guys have to sign the books out?

Washington? Hamilton? Burr? Jay? Wow, that's some autograph collection!

Yeah, I wouldn't mind having those in my collection. Of course, with the money those signatures would bring in, I think I'd easily be able to let them go.

70s show watcher
04-18-2010, 07:17 PM
Did those guys have to sign the books out?

Washington? Hamilton? Burr? Jay? Wow, that's some autograph collection! thats for sure

OH Nuts!
04-19-2010, 02:00 PM
Boggles the mind and yes those autographs would be worth a pretty penny - perhaps even enough to pay of the fines in today's $ were the Lib even able to collect it LOL

catlover79
04-19-2010, 04:09 PM
Boggles the mind and yes those autographs would be worth a pretty penny - perhaps even enough to pay of the fines in today's $ were the Lib even able to collect it LOL
:lol: :lol: :lol:

The Great One
04-19-2010, 06:24 PM
Very interesting tidbit of information!

Torgo
04-20-2010, 01:09 PM
At least the 2 books listed wasn't something like Fanny Hill.

catlover79
04-20-2010, 01:52 PM
At least the 2 books listed wasn't something like Fanny Hill.
:lol: :lol: :lol: