Family returns overdue books to Louisville library after nearly 100 years

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) - After nearly a century, two overdue books were returned to the Louisville Free Public Library on Monday.

A Louisville family came forward with a story about an immigrant grandmother, a budding musician and the journey through the decades that finally ended in St. Matthews.

BOOKS RETURNED TO LFPL 100 YEARS LATER (2).jpg — Two long overdue books were returned to the Louisville Free Public Library in St. Matthews. Mark Perelmuter and Michael Perelmuter King said the books checked out by their grandmother and father were checked out 100 years ago. (WDRB Image) March 25, 2024

Cousins Mark Perelmuter and Michael Perelmuter King said they are tight knit family. They met this morning outside of the St. Matthews branch of the Louisville Free Public Library to return the two books checked out by their family members the 1920s.

"We are here because Michael was going through his father's belongings, and a few years ago, found some unreturned free public library books," said Mark Perelmuter.

He said the books were checked out by a mother and her son at the main library branch in downtown Louisville.

One book was chosen by their grandmother Miriam Perelmutter, whom they called the "bedrock of the family." She checked out a Russian to English phrase book, which would have been useful for a Ukrainian immigrant.

"She apparently checked this book out in 1926, and I guess she really liked it because she didn't return it," said Mark Perelmuter. He even had her original library card.

The family said they were surprised to learn that their grandmother spoke Russian along with Yiddish, a language commonly used by Jewish people in Eastern Europe before the Holocaust.

The second book was checked out in 1924 by Miriam's son, Morris Perelmuter King.

"This book 'Famous Composers and Their Works,' It was copyrighted in 1891." Michael Perelmuter said his father was a 14-year-old budding musician, when he checked out the book in 1924. "He was taken by the violin and became a very prominent member of the cultural and musical community here in Louisville in the late 1920s."

Michael shared that his father would go on to become a star violinist in New York during the depression. Morris would eventually relocate to Las Vegas and headline at the historic Copa Lounge at the Sands Hotel. He said his father even hung out with the legendary Brat Pack and became friends with Sammy Davis Jr.

BOOKS RETURNED TO LFPL 100 YEARS LATER Library Books.jpg — "First Russian Book" and "Famous Composers and Their Works" were two long overdue books returned to the Louisville Free Public Library in St. Matthews. Mark Perelmuter and Michael Perelmuter King said the books were checked out by family members 100 years ago. (Image courtesy of Perelmuter family) March 25, 2024

Now that the books have been returned, each will be stored at the Main Branch of the LFPL downtown in their rare book collection.

Kate Leitner from the St. Matthews Library said they've gotten older books before, but this one's for the record books.

"They're out there and people are bringing them back to the library, but we're not always lucky enough to hear all the family stories like we did today," Leitner said.

Michael Perelmuter said his grandmother would be pleased at how this all came together.

"It's beyond my imagination what she could possibly think, but I think she would derive immense pleasure from seeing the family together," he said.

The Louisville Public Library has done away with its late fees, so the family is off the hook for what would have been a hefty fine of $7,000 including late fees.

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