每日英語跟讀 Ep.K612: Library Book Returns Home After 119 Years in Remarkable Condition
A remarkable story unfolds as a long-lost book finds its way back to the New Bedford Free Public Library in Massachusetts after an astonishing 119 years. The book in question is "An Elementary Treatise on Electricity" by James Clerk Maxwell, a scientific text that was checked out on February 14, 1904. The incredible journey of this book finally came to light when a librarian at West Virginia University Libraries stumbled upon it during the sorting of a recent book donation.
一個驚奇的故事展開，一本失而復得的書在經過119年後回到了麻薩諸塞州的新伯福免費公共圖書館。這本書是詹姆斯·克拉克·麥克斯韋爾的《電學初論》，是一本科學文獻，於1904年2月14日被借出。這本書的驚人旅程最終在西維吉尼亞大學圖書館的一位圖書館員在最近的一次書籍捐贈整理中被偶然發現。
The curator of rare books, Stewart Plein, immediately recognized the significance of the discovery. Notably, the book had not been stamped "withdrawn," indicating that it had not been discarded despite its overdue status. Realizing that the treatise belonged to the New Bedford library, Plein reached out to Jodi Goodman, the special collections librarian, to share the exciting news. Olivia Melo, the director of the New Bedford Public Library, marveled at the book's pristine condition, suggesting that it had been well-preserved and possibly passed down through generations.
稀有書籍館長斯圖爾特·普林立即意識到這個發現的重要性。值得注意的是，這本書並沒有被蓋上“撤銷”印章，表示儘管超過了歸還期限，但本書並沒有被廢棄。普林意識到這本論文屬於新伯福圖書館後，便與特藏圖書管理員喬迪·古德曼聯絡，分享了這個令人興奮的消息。新伯福公共圖書館館長奧利維亞·梅洛對這本書的完好狀態感到驚嘆，表示它被保存得很好，並且可能是代代相傳。
Although the cranberry-colored copy of Maxwell's treatise is not considered a rare edition, it provides a valuable glimpse into the time when humanity was still exploring the potential of electricity. Published in 1881, just two years after Maxwell's passing in 1879, the treatise captures the curiosity and wonder of an era embracing the possibilities of this emerging force of nature. Melo acknowledged that while the library occasionally receives books overdue by a decade or so, the return of a book after a century or more is a truly exceptional event.
盡管這本麥克斯韋爾論文的紅莓色版本不被認為是稀有版，但它提供了一個寶貴的視角，讓人窺見人類仍在探索電力潛力的時代。該書於1881年出版，僅在麥克斯韋爾於1879年去世後的兩年問世，記錄了一個時代對這種新興自然力量的好奇和驚奇。梅洛相信，雖然圖書館偶爾會收到逾期十年左右的書籍，但一本經過一個世紀以上才歸還的圖書確實是個非常特殊的事件。
The story of the book's return serves as a testament to the enduring value of printed books in an age dominated by digital information. Melo emphasized that printed books possess an irreplaceable quality, providing a tangible connection to the past and ensuring their longevity. Reflecting on the significance of the returned treatise, she expressed appreciation for the printed word's ability to transcend time. In terms of late fees, it was noted that the library's maximum late fee limit is $2, underscoring the symbolic nature of the book's return rather than any financial implications.
這本書回歸的故事證明了在數位資訊主導的時代中，印刷書的恆久價值。梅洛強調印刷書籍具有不可替代的性質，能夠提供與過去的有形連結並保證它們的長久存在。回顧這本回歸論文的重要性，她對印刷文字跨越時間的能力表示讚賞。至於逾期費用，據悉該圖書館的最高滯納金限額為2美元，這也強調了本書回歸的象徵意義，並非關於任何財務影響。
Reference article: https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/library-book-electricity-returned-after-119-years-good-shape