There could be nothing more critical to civilization than the written word, and England did its best to restore civilization through a collection that may not have been made up of bestsellers, but provided reading material that might take the reader away from their troubles for a short time.From that grand donation sprang the Chicago Public Library.
The donated books were lent out, circulated, and then over time, they disappeared.
By now, you'd imagine the fines would be astronomical, but it's not so bad as all that.
The Chicago Public Library is willing to take back any and all overdue books, no questions asked, and not charge the delinquent borrower a penny.
Amnesty for those who cower in the corner, ashamed at how long they've had that library book that they meant to return but after a few years, it's simply too embarrassing to hand it back.
Check your shelves.
Open those old books that have been collecting dust and look for the bookplate that is featured above. It's all right that you've had the book for over one hundred years. Bring it back. No charge. No fine.
By most estimations, Chicago received about 8,000 books from the British.
They can't find a single one of them. They were lent out and never came back.
So do please check your shelves. There's a long list of people waiting to borrow Christina Rosetti's Goblin Market and Queen Victoria's personal favorite, The Early Years of His Royal Highness The Prince Consort.
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