◎羅彥傑

A man who borrowed a library book 46 years ago has finally returned it, but avoided a £2,500 fine.

一名男子向圖書館借了一本書，46年後終於把書還掉了，而且還逃掉了2500英鎊的罰款。

David Hall borrowed the book, Engineering Workshop Practice, for his father from Derby Central Library.

大衛．霍爾替父親向德比中央圖書館借了「工程學工廠實習」這本書。

Mr Hall, from Derby, was 10 when he took the book out in 1963 and only came across it again when he was clearing out a loft at his late father’s home.

來自德比市的霍爾，在1963年取走這本書時為10歲 ，直到他在過世父親的家中清理頂樓時，才再次和這本書不期而遇。

Derby City Council is currently running a books amnesty, which means Mr Hall does not have to pay the fine. The amnesty, organised by Derby City Libraries, lasts until Wednesday and anyone who has an overdue book on loan can hand it in at any library without being penalised.

德比市議會目前正推動書籍特赦活動，意思是霍爾不必支付罰款。由德比市圖書館舉辦的特赦活動，持續至本週三為止，所有積欠逾期未還書的人，都能在任何圖書館還書，而且不會受到懲罰。

The council said on average it raised about £40,000 a year in late fees, which is then reinvested into library services.

市議會表示，遲還書罰金平均一年的收入約為4萬英鎊，這筆錢之後會重新投資在圖書館服務上。

Library officials said that if the daily fine rate had been applied over the 46 years, Mr Hall would have faced a fine of approximately £2,500.

圖書館人員說，如果這46年套用每日罰款費率來計算，霍爾勢將面臨約2500英鎊的罰金。

新聞辭典

came across：片語，無意間發現、碰上。例句：I came across my old roommate yesterday.（我昨天偶遇我的老室友。）

on loan：片語，暫借的（地）。例句：He has my overcoat on loan.（他暫時借用我的大衣。）

on average：片語，按平均值。例句：On average I work ten hours a day.（我平均每天工作10小時。）

自由時報-980728

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