VHS tapes returned to Iowa public library after two decades
Share and Follow


The Davenport Public Library has found itself in the middle of a mystery.

“I got an email from one of my coworkers who works at the desk and she said, ‘You’re not going to believe what somebody just dropped off to us,'” said Tessa Wallace, Davenport Public Library’s marketing coordinator.

The Davenport Public Library has more than 200,000 combined materials for people to browse through, including books, CDs, and DVDs. Staff, though, were shocked at what they received last week.

Six dust-covered VHS tapes, including “The Mummy,” were returned.

“It’s sad. It still has the new sticker on it,” Wallace said. “All of them were checked out about 20 years ago.”

Figuring out the identity of the person who checked out the tapes two decades ago, however, is a bigger mystery.

“I don’t even know if we can look back in the system anymore because this was card catalogs and we have computers now,” Wallace said.

The entire ordeal had library staff members both baffled and laughing.

“We don’t have any VHS tapes in circulation anymore. We have a pretty large DVD collection, for TVs and movies, but we don’t have any more VHS, unfortunately,” Wallace said.

The cost for two decades worth of overdue fines is probably not as much as you think.

“We’re actually fine-free now,” Wallace said. “We wiped out our fines a couple years ago, and we don’t charge overdue fines anymore, especially because we don’t have VHS in the collection anymore. We would wipe that from the collection. Turned out well!”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
'Your voices matter to us': Jacksonville Apna Bazar withdraws request for meat processing facility

Jacksonville Apna Bazar Listens to Community, Cancels Meat Processing Facility Plans

The decision to withdraw follows vocal opposition from local residents worried about…
Latin Grammy Awards WORST dressed stars

Latin Grammy Awards 2023: Fashion Fumbles on the Red Carpet – See the Most Unforgettable Style Misses

The much-anticipated 26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards have finally made their grand…
Car used by missing California girl's mom on road trip had license plates swapped to 'avoid detection'

Shocking Twist: Melodee Buzzard’s Mother Freed Amid Allegations of Officer Imprisonment and Missing Daughter Breakthrough

The mother of a 9-year-old girl considered “at-risk” reportedly informed a man…
Former Marine Bryan Frederick Jennings who raped, killed 6-year-old Rebecca Kunash set for execution in Florida

Florida Set to Execute Ex-Marine Bryan Frederick Jennings for 1995 Murder and Rape of 6-Year-Old Rebecca Kunash

In Starke, Florida, a former Marine is poised to face execution for…
Blue Island man Derek Rucker pleads guilty of of battering several women, police officer in Chicago, Evanston, CPD and docs show

Blue Island Resident Derek Rucker Admits to Assault Charges Against Multiple Women and Officer in Chicago and Evanston

A resident of Blue Island has admitted guilt in connection to a…
Bryan Kohberger forced to pay victims' families from his prison fund

Bryan Kohberger Ordered to Compensate Victims’ Families from Prison Account

On the third anniversary of the tragic murders at the University of…
8-year-old boy suffers concussion, broken bone after part of ceiling collapses at Hanford elementary school in California

Shocking Safety Lapse: Ceiling Collapse Injures Young Boy at California School

HANFORD, Calif. — Eight-year-old James Harrah, sporting a black eye and a…
Trump's next immigration crackdown will target Charlotte, North Carolina, sheriff says

Charlotte Sheriff Warns of Impending Immigration Crackdown as Trump’s New Policy Targets North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte, North Carolina, is preparing for a possible increase…