A book borrowed from Kiama Library in New South Wales is returned after nearly 150 years, following its discovery in a sealed fireplace during a home renovation. Multiple outlets report the book was found hidden behind the sealed fireplace and brought back to the library last week by a local resident, identified in one report as Ross Simmons, who found it inside a crate behind the fireplace. The book is dated to 1858 and is described as having been taken out by a resident’s great-great-grandfather in the 1870s. Because the return is so overdue, outlets cite a calculated hypothetical late fee. PerthNow and The West Australian describe a figure of about A$28,000, while Times of India and NDTV report equivalent amounts in rupees, around Rs 16 lakh to Rs 19 lakh, based on currency conversion. One report says the book is damaged, though details of the extent of the damage are not consistent across sources. After being returned, the book is expected to join the library’s local history collection.