99-Year Overdue Library Book Makes Its Way Back to Ocean County Library
An amazing find brought a forgotten book back to Ocean County Library, 99 years after it was first checked out. Mary Cooper found the old book while going through boxes of family keepsakes.
“I had a bunch of things from my mom … She just placed everything in boxes and had them stored away,” said Cooper to Shore Beat.
“Inside Home-Made Toys for Girls and Boys” by A. Neely Hall had an unexpected connection to Cooper’s family tree. Her grandfather, Captain Charles Tilton, had borrowed it. Inside was a faded card showing the names and dates of past borrowers.
“To find something so old and within that time period. It’s a book about making toys for boys and girls. It’s just something you don’t see all the time,” said Sherri Taliercio to News 12 New Jersey.
The book’s return is quite meaningful. Back in 1925, the library began in a small cottage near the courthouse. Workers drove a Model T truck along dirt roads, delivering books to schools and homes throughout the county.
Captain Tilton made his impact on the community from 1884 to 1927. A talented fisherman and community leader, he touched many lives. “I thought he must have been a really neat person. I’d have liked to meet him,” Cooper mused.
Library staff dug through old files, excited by this unexpected surprise. The timing worked out perfectly, right as the library celebrates its 100th year.
From its simple beginnings, the library expanded to several branches across Ocean County. Staff carefully examined the book’s pages, noting its remarkable return in their records.
Cooper thanks childhood librarians for getting her hooked on reading. This lucky discovery highlights both her family’s history and the library’s deep roots.
