Woman Returns 94-Year-Old Overdue Book

Some of that stuff could be 3.5 or 4 years old,just like some of the canned goods in my kitchen cabinet.

Here's a tax tip: Donate your old canned goods to a museum, and take a tax deduction.

I gave up on going to the Houston Public Library (main branch) because they had a history of shelving items without checking them in. I was continually getting assessed fines for books and CDs I had turned in (they weren't getting checked in until someone else would check that item out).

They used to waive the fee but they had such a problem with it that they refused to wave the fee anymore (I was not the only one having this problem obviously).

I think that they still want a couple bucks out of me but I've never received a letter.

"Let me tell you something, funny boy... You know that little stamp? The one that says New York Public Library? Well, that may not mean anything to you, but that means a lot to me. One whole helluva lot. Sure, go ahead, laugh if you want to. I've seen your type before -- flashy, making the scene, flaunting convention. Yeah, I know what you're thinking... Why's this guy making such a big stink about old library books? Let me give you a hint, junior. Maybe we can live without libraries, people like you and me.... Maybe. Sure, we're too old to change the world. What about that kid, sitting down, opening a book right now in a branch of the local library and finding pictures of pee-pees and wee-wees in The Cat in the Hat and The Five Chinese Brothers. Doesn't he deserve better? Look, if you think this is about overdue fines and missing books, you'd better think again. This is about that kid's right to read a book without getting his mind warped. Or maybe that turns you on, Seinfeld... Maybe that's how you get your kicks... You and your goodtime buddies... I've got a flash for you, joy boy. Partytime is over."

- Lt. Bookman, in "The Library"

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