Book missing from Clydebank library for 13 years found in Denmark

A book borrowed from a library in Clydebank 13 years ago has finally been found – in Denmark.

Staff at Faifley Library were stunned at the return of Literature or Life by Jorge Semprun, which had been last loaned out on January 7, 2012.

A letter and a package sent from the Royal Danish Library in Aarhus revealed the piece of literature had been discovered during a clear-up of one of their libraries.

The letter reads: “During a cleanup at one of our institute libraries, a colleague found this book, which belongs to you.

“We have no idea how it ended up here. We have never borrowed a book with this title, and you are not listed in our address database, so it is quite a mystery.

“Perhaps a borrower brought the book from Scotland and accidentally returned it here in Aarhus, Denmark.

The letter and package were sent from the Royal Danish Library. West Dunbartonshire Council via Supplied

“In any case, we are now returning the book to you – maybe you have missed it.”

The book, published in 1997, tells the Spanish novelist’s story of the French Resistance when he was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943 and incarcerated.

There is “no way” of knowing how the book ended up in Denmark, or tracing the person who last borrowed the book, as a new library management system has been installed.

Despite this, it has rejoined the collection at Faifley, with local councillors describing the ordeal as an “unexpected surprise”.

The book had been last loaned out on January 7, 2012. West Dunbartonshire Council via Supplied

Councillor William Rooney, convener of Corporate Services, said: “This is a fun tale of generosity from the Royal Danish Library in Aarhus, with staff there going out of their way to repatriate the book. They certainly deserve a big thanks for doing so.

“It sparks curiosity to think about how the book ended up in Denmark and whether it even visited other countries on its travels.”

Councillor Lawrence O’Neill, vice convener of Corporate Services, said: “What an unexpected surprise for staff at Faifley Library to receive this package with a book that had been missing for such a long time.”