The books which have been overdue the longest from the county’s main library have been revealed.

On November 8, this publication send a freedom of information request to Oxfordshire County Council under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

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We asked: “In regards to Oxfordshire County Library, what are the 10 books which have been overdue from the longest?”

Responding to our request, the council disclosed that the book which has been overdue the longest is a copy of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel The Great Gatsby, which has been on loan since September 28, 2015.

While this copy of Fitzgerald’s novel is certainly long overdue, it is not the longest.

The Guinness world record for the most overdue library book is held by one returned to Sidney Sussex College at Cambridge University.

It was borrowed in 1668 and returned 288 years later.

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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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