Over A Century Late, Library Book Finally Returned In Minnesota

A library book that was more than a century overdue was finally returned in St. Paul, Minnesota. According to Minnesota Public Radio, the St. Paul Public Library's checkout slip indicated that the book was last borrowed in 1919.

Outlook International Desk

Updated on: 20 November 2023 10:24 am

The checkout slip indicated that the book was last borrowed in 1919.

In a plot twist worthy of a quirky novel, a library book that has dodged overdue notices for over a century has finally made its way back to the St. Paul Library in Minnesota.

Titled “Famous Composers” and featuring the likes of Bach and Mozart, the book turned up while someone was sorting through a relative’s belongings.?

According to Minnesota Public Radio, the St. Paul Public Library's checkout slip indicated that the book was last borrowed in 1919.

Commenting on the same, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter mentioned that there would be no fine. The library, like many across the country, stopped charging late fees in 2019.

Furthermore, John Larson, the St. Paul Public Library’s digital library coordinator, said he doubted it would go back into circulation because of its delicate condition but expected the library to hang onto it.

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“It has reached a point where it’s not just an old book, it’s an artifact. It has a little bit of history to it,” he added.?

Larson said in his 25 years working for the library, it was the oldest book he ever saw returned.

“There’s been a time or two when something has come back, and maybe it has been checked out for 20 or 30 years, but nothing where it looks like it has been out for some 100 years,” he said.