Everyone has been guilty of forgetting to put something back when borrowing an item.
Once that happens, you may get reminded by the owner or it’s never spoken about again.
So, for this week’s nostalgia, we are going back to when a man from Berkshire decided to take it upon himself to become a ‘detective’ to help the county’s library.
Bob Cleghorn was described as a ‘man on a mission’ back in 1996, as he visited the homes of those who frequently visited Berkshire Library and collect their overdue library books.
Bob would map out his route before heading to the houses
It didn’t matter if you were young or old because, he would get your details and track you down.
Originally putting his skills to work in 1994, in two years he managed to recover more than 100 books.
This saved Berkshire Library £20,000 (£32,000 in today’s money) in sending out reminder letters and making phone calls, as well as ordering replacements of the books that had not been returned.
Speaking to the BBC in ’96 on his hobby, he said: “Most people are embarrassed, and some were worried that there might be some aggression.
He would drive his trusty Austin Allegro across Berkshire to pick up the books
“I have found books under beds, wardrobes and in all sorts of places.
“One chap I called up on had stored them up in cardboard boxes up in his loft.”
The latter who Mr Cleghorn was describing happened to be a policeman who was based in Newbury.
In the short segment that is still available to watch via the BBC Archive page, the keen bookworm had a map, an alarm (in case things turned physical) and other pieces of equipment when collecting the items.
This person had a book that taught people how to play the guitar
A member of the library staff added: “Bob provides the human face of stock recovery.
“We don’t want to make people as if they are being punished or being chased.
“We just really want the books back more than anything else.”
This youngster also had books that Bob picked up
Some overdue books that Mr Cleghorn recovered during in the 1990s had originally been taken out of the library 20 years prior - many had been the only one of their kind.
He continued: "I always felt that it has been worthwhile if I get some books back.
Around £20,000 was saved by Berkshire Library thanks to Bob
"Even if it's just the one book [for the day] because that's at least something."
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