George Washington (our first President) racks up late fees at NY library - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 04-17-2010, 06:48 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100417/..._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!

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.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweety

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tweety

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

At least the 2 books listed wasn't something like Fanny Hill.

04-17-2010, 06:48 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	George Washington (our first President) racks up late fees at NY library http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100417/..._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."
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-17-2010, 07:24 PM	#2
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	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.
	__________________ Jenny

04-17-2010, 10:47 PM	#4
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Yes, it's really generous of them to forgive the late fees for one of the most popular presidents in U.S. history!
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

04-18-2010, 07:24 AM	#6
Tweety Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 18, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 6,804	Did those guys have to sign the books out? Washington? Hamilton? Burr? Jay? Wow, that's some autograph collection!
	__________________ Straight, and VERY proud of it. No, that's OK, I don't need a parade.

04-19-2010, 06:24 PM	#11
The Great One Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 29, 2006 Posts: 6,378	Very interesting tidbit of information!
	__________________ .

04-17-2010, 09:28 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I know - it just boggles the mind. I haven't heard anyone release a dollar amount...I'd love to hear it!!

04-18-2010, 12:02 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Our local news tonight calculated how much the fees would be now, with inflation, etc. It would total about $300,000.

04-19-2010, 02:00 PM	#9
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	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

04-20-2010, 01:09 PM	#12
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,037	At least the 2 books listed wasn't something like Fanny Hill.
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira