A fine mess

Glasgow University's newsletter reports that a copy of The Times, dated April 14, 1937, has just been delivered to the university library. This turns out to be the library's own copy, presumably illicitly borrowed. Librarian Henry Heaney speculates that the many attractive offers in the personal column, of viewpoints for the coronation, may have prompted someone to take it home for closer study.

Since the library invested in a microfilm version of The Times several years ago, the missing issue has not been preoccupying staff. But the outstanding fines and interest might have made a significant contribution to the library's budget.