Overdue Library Books

Last night must have been a quiet night for TV news, or perhaps ABC were trying to give us a good news story. The Ivanhoe Librarian was pleased to announce the return of a long-overdue item (some 28 years overdue!)
As a librarian its pleasing to see items returned even one as long-overdue.

As a librarian I'm also ashamed (slightly) of having an non-returned item on my personal book shelves that was issued to me in 1978 (33 years ago!).
Most public libraries weed their collections regularly so even if I returned this item, it would only be chucked out. Many of my customers find it hard to understand why we don't keep all the authors they read 20-40 years ago. Some borrowers find it difficult to get the same sort of stories they have enjoyed for many years - too much bad language (The Slap), Drug use (The Slap), weird people or places and not the Midsomer Murder type tranquility & "gentle" violence. I get asked for a "good story" all the time, something I sympathize with!
Now I'm starting to find the same problem, with the favourite authors of my youth dying (even if their children are writing in their stead). Anne McCaffrey (Dragons of Pern), Isaac Asimov, Dick Francis, Virginia Andrews, etc are all clutching their pens at the pearly gates or beyond. Ursula Le Guin, a favourite is not seen on the shelves quite so much either.
But there are lots of good authors out there. Try Australian authors,  warm and fuzzy's like Di Morrissey, sparse and challenging like Helen Garner or Richard Flanagan. Ask your local librarian for reading help!
The good books are still coming into the library!