A man who finally returned a 68-year overdue book to the Library of Victoria has thankfully been given clemency on his potentially $12,000 fine.

Retired academic Graeme Coulson’s mother borrowed A History of Malvern from the library on April 21, 1955; he found it after his mother’s passing at 103-years-old.

Mr Coulson told Gary Adshead on 6PR Mornings his mother was a historia, and would’ve appreciated knowing her treasured belongings were given new – or old – leases of life.

“In this case, I think we did the right thing,” Mr Coulson said.

Press PLAY to hear more about the strange case of the missing library book

Image: The Age/Joe Armao