{"id":74778,"date":"2026-08-07T08:43:30","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T12:43:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?p=74778"},"modified":"2026-08-07T08:43:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T12:43:31","slug":"book-webb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/book-webb\/","title":{"rendered":"Hotelie Returns Library Book\u2014Half a Century After He Borrowed It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Better late than never, a master\u2019s alum mailed a beloved work of philosophy back to his alma mater<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBear Hugs\u201d celebrates heartwarming stories of Cornellians on the Hill and around the world. Have an idea? Email us at cornellians@cornell.edu<\/strong><\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor\u2019s note: This story was adapted from <\/em>a feature<\/em><\/a> on the University Library website.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Danica Fisher<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a well-preserved library book arrived in the mail at the Cornell University Library<\/a> this year, it came with a remarkable distinction: it had been due back in the 1970s. The volume, In Spite of<\/em><\/a>: A Philosophy for Everyman<\/em> by John Cowper Powys, had accompanied its borrower through decades of life, travel, and reflection before finally making its way home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

The borrower was Hank Webb, MPS \u201974, a retired U.S. diplomat whose long career took him around the world\u2014but never far from the lessons he first encountered as a Cornell student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the Hotelie, the book\u2019s return was more than the resolution of a very overdue checkout; it was an opportunity to reflect on the enduring influence of a volume that helped shape his outlook on life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Says Webb: \u201cSimply stated, the book has been a guiding North Star since first reading it at Cornell in 1973.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Hank
Webb borrowed the book as a master’s student.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Its themes, which explore the challenges and complexities of everyday life and human nature, resonated deeply with Webb as a student and continued to guide him throughout his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe world has certainly changed tremendously since the first printing in 1953,\u201d he says, \u201cbut people mostly remain the same.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Simply stated, the book has been a guiding North Star since first reading it at Cornell in 1973.<\/p>\nHank Webb, MPS \u201974<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Among the lessons he carried was the idea that maintaining calm in the face of life\u2019s uncertainties and interactions with others is one of the most powerful paths to happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe chapter \u2018In Spite of Other People\u2019 taught me that calm is a superpower, preventing stress from stealing my happiness,\u201d Webb says. \u201cIn my humble opinion, the grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\""
The book’s title page …<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"A
… and its old-school bookplate and due-date stamps.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Andy Horbal, the library\u2019s director of access services, notes that the return is not entirely unprecedented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe receive long overdue materials in the mail once or twice a month, so this kind of event is not quite as uncommon as people might think,\u201d Horbal says. \u201cAlthough, of course, they aren\u2019t usually quite this<\/em> overdue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

We receive long overdue materials in the mail once or twice a month, so this kind of event is not quite as uncommon as people might think\u2014although, of course, they aren\u2019t usually quite this<\/em> overdue.<\/p>\nAndy Horbal<\/strong>, director of access services<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The library eliminated overdue fines in July 2021\u2014a change intended to reduce barriers and create a more equitable experience for patrons while simplifying workflows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But whether a book is weeks, months, or decades overdue, employees are always pleased to see materials returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe great thing about books,\u201d Horbal says, \u201cis that they never go bad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(All images provided.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Published August 7, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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