By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
A book borrowed from the San Antonio Public Library more than eight decades ago has finally been returned — along with a note asking the library not to charge overdue fees.
The book, Your Child, His Family, and Friends by family counselor Frances Bruce Strain, was checked out in July 1943. It resurfaced in June when a resident of Oregon mailed it back after discovering it among their late father’s belongings.
“I hope there is no late fee for it because Grandma won’t be able to pay for it anymore,” the person wrote. They explained that after their father’s recent death, they inherited several boxes of books, one of which contained the long-missing library copy.
Believing the book was originally borrowed by their grandmother, Maria del Socorro Aldrete Flores, the returner noted that she had moved to Mexico City in 1943 for work at the U.S. Embassy and likely took it with her.
Inside, the book still carried a stamp warning of a fine of three cents per day. Over 82 years, that would have amounted to about $900 without inflation — or roughly $16,000 adjusted for today. Fortunately for the family, San Antonio Public Library ended its overdue fine policy in 2021.
Despite its long journey, the book was described as being in “good condition.” The library plans to display it at the central branch until the end of August before donating it to the Friends of San Antonio Public Library for resale to support library programs.
While 82 years is an extraordinary delay, it is not the longest on record. According to Guinness World Records, the title belongs to a book borrowed in 1668 and returned nearly 288 years later to Sidney Sussex College at the University of Cambridge.
