If you were to ask library Access Services staffer, Beth Steele, what she finds in returned books, all she has to do is dip into her recycle bin and find an example of a left-behind note which says, "How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! I Kings 18:21." Being a library of a faith-based institution maybe we should not be surprised to find scripture verses in our returned books. Beth says she's also found post-it notes, photos, pens and pencils, addresses, phone numbers...No food, though, thankfully. 

Oakland Public Library has gathered artifacts from returned books and made a special display of them. Librarian Sharon McKellar says, "It lets us be a little bit nosy in an anonymous way." Her collection is titled "Found in a Library Book."

Listen to the story on NPR.