Library Reads Out of Print Book to 102-Year-Old Patron During Lockdown

It seems the world doesn’t agree on much right now, but one thing I think we can all agree on is the fact that the global quarantine really has brought out the best (and the worst) in many people. We’ve heard some lovely stories in recent months about people going out of their way to help and assist others and it’s really heartwarming. Today, we bring you the news of the team at Ipswich Library who have been reading an out of print book to a 102-year-old patron.

As the tweet below shows, it all started when the lady called the library to request a book her father used to read to her, and ended with the library staff truly going the extra mile and reading and recording it for her.

Wanna cry over something adorable? My colleagues at @ipswich_library have a 102-year-old customer who they’ve been phoning. She told them about a book her dad used to read to her when she was young. It’s not available in eAudio so they’ve been reading & recording it for her.

— Krystal Vittles (@KrystalVittles) June 18, 2020

This story really is beyond wholesome. Not only are Ipswich Library reading the book, but as the book was so old (from the 1920s) it was out of print, and definitely not available in eAudio.

They went out of their way to track this book down too. It was published in the late 1920s and is no longer in print. They’re also trying to record it in the most professional manner as they possible can so that it’s clear and interesting.
Honestly, my heart wants to burst.

— Krystal Vittles (@KrystalVittles) June 18, 2020

Krystal goes on to tweet the name of the book, because obviously all reading addicts need to know this!

As people are asking, the book is: Portrait of Clare (1927) by Francis Brett Young.

— Krystal Vittles (@KrystalVittles) June 19, 2020

The story has gone viral, and rightly so! We think the staff at Ipswich Library rock, and this little story has made our day. Keep being brilliant, librarians!