Library Book Returned After 82 Years
Fortunately for the borrower’s descendants, the library in question no longer charges late fees.
Finding an interesting old book among a late relative’s belongings is not unusual. But what if it’s a library book? One that was borrowed in another state?
Earlier this year, the San Antonio Public Library in Texas received a copy of Your Child, His Family, and Friends by Francs Bruse Strain, which was last checked out in July 1943. The copy was accompanied by an anonymous note from Oregon, signed only with initials. The note’s writer explained that the book was in one of the boxes they inherited after their father died.
The writer believes their grandmother borrowed the book. Their father would have been 11 years old at the time. In the year the book was borrowed, the grandmother took a job with the U.S. embassy in Mexico City. The book was probably packed up with her belongings for the move.
The book’s pocket marks it as a “28 Day Book” and “Not Renewable,” with a fine of “3 cents a day” for late returns. Texas Public Radio, which published photos of the book and a copy of the note that came with it, calculated the total fines as “close to $900.” Fortunately, the San Antonio Public Library stopped charging late fees in 2021.
The note concluded with a message of gratitude for public libraries and a promise to donate. The San Antonio Public Library is displaying the copy of Your Child, His Family, and Friends, which was returned in good condition, in their Central Library through August. It will then be donated to the BookCellar used book store run by the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library.
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