A library book which was loaned from Dudley in the West Midlands, UK has become the centre of a mystery after it was returned to a library over 10 thousand miles away. The novel which was issued by the British library was handed in to Bairnsdale Library in East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia; a staggering 10,500 miles (16,898 km away) from its home library.
The Hive, a novel written by Gill Hornby, was on loan until the end of March, and was returned well within its loan deadline when the volume in question found its way down under to the Australian library. The novel was handed to librarian, Jessica Berry, who contacted the team in the UL but the mystery still remains, how did the book end up on the other side of the world?
“It’s always interesting to see where our books end up but this one was literally on the other side of the world,” said Dudley Libraries assistant James Windsor.
“The item originally lived with us at Gornal Library and we’ve been entertaining some of our regulars with the story of this novel’s incredible journey.”
Mobile library driver Joanne (pictured) was among staff at Bairnsdale Library, Australia left baffled by the mysterious return
Having made its travels across the world, The Hive will not be making the return flight according to Stephanie Rhoden, a manager for Dudley Libraries.
Rhoden explained: “We’ve now withdrawn it from our collection so it can stay where it is.
“East Gippsland is in the far east of Victoria and looks like an amazing place to be.”
