After 40 years, library books are returned — with a story of their own

Eddie and Marty are back where they belong.

In “The Space Ship Under the Apple Tree,” Eddie has gone out to investigate a falling star, only to meet Marty, a tiny man from Martinea and his space ship. They had adventures on Earth, and then in “Three-Seated Space Ship,” Eddie and his grandmother join for a wild ride to London and New York City.

In reality, Eddie, Marty and Eddie’s grandmother stayed safely on the ground, just not in the location where they started. More than 40 years after they were checked out of what was then the Children’s Library at 416 S. Phillips Ave., they appeared when the book depository at Ronning Branch Library at 3100 E. 49th St. was emptied Sunday about noon.

Strapped together by a red rubber band, they included a note with an apology for their long absence.

“I discovered these books while cleaning my sister’s house after she passed away,” the handwritten note read. “We moved from Sioux Falls to California in 1976, and she didn’t return them before we left.”

The writer added that she was sure her sister had always hoped she would return someday and could bring the books back herself. She enclosed $40 and offered to buy the staff doughnuts.

What the library staff would like to do instead is use the donation as a memorial in the sister’s name, said Kim Koblank, Ronning Branch librarian. While the card was signed, there was no contact information included. Library staff chose not to make the card-writer’s name public. Library records would not have the borrower’s name.

When the books were checked out almost 50 years ago, the Children’s Library used a system of cards and an ink stamp. The cards were stamped with the return date and then slipped into a pocket inside the book’s front cover. These books were due Aug. 10.

Louis Slobodkin wrote the Spaceship Under the Apple Tree series, starting 70 years ago. Slobodkin also was a sculptor and illustrated many children’s books before his death. The Spaceship Under the Apple Tree series started with the book of the same name and included four more published from 1952 through 1972.

Currently, Siouxland Libraries charges 25 cents a day for an overdue book with a cap of $5 unless the book never comes back, Koblank said. The borrower then is responsible for replacing the book.

Returning a long-overdue book has occurred several times, said Koblank, who has worked for Siouxland Libraries for about eight years.

“We’ve had a couple instances over the years where somebody’s brought in a book they found in their parents’ collection or found in their own collection,” she said. “They’re always so embarrassed. But we don’t hold any grudges. It’s not like the ‘Seinfeld’ episode where they sent out the library police.”

The newly returned chapter books won’t go back on the shelves, Koblank said. She has contacted Siouxland Libraries’ collections staff member for input, and they may go on display with information about their history.

“I’m not planning on getting rid of them.”

Her happiness at the books’ return is mixed with sympathy for the person who held on to them for so long.

“All that guilt that person must have lived with,” Koblank said. “It’s such a small thing, but it’s nice to get them back.”