By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A book titled “Your Child, His Family, and Friends,” borrowed in 1943 from the San Antonio Public Library, was recently returned after nearly 82 years. The book was sent from Oregon with a letter explaining that the borrower’s grandmother had likely taken the book to Mexico City and it was recently found after her father’s passing. The library, which eliminated overdue fines in 2021, would have charged a significant fee, considering the three-cent-a-day fine, and the impact of inflation. The library plans to display the book before donating it to the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library for sale.
Read the original article here
Book borrowed from a US library finally returned after 82 years – it’s a headline that certainly grabs your attention, doesn’t it? It’s one of those stories that makes you pause and think, “Wow, that’s something.” And you know what? It is something. It speaks to a blend of forgetfulness, family history, and a lingering sense of civic responsibility that’s truly remarkable. Sam Donaldson’s commencement speech about his grandmother and a returned library book sets the stage. This reminds me that I really should get around to returning some of my own kids’ books.
That letter from the book-returner, mentioning the grandmother’s inability to pay a late fee, gives a heartfelt and charming touch to the whole situation. It’s a clear indicator that the book’s absence from the library was the product of circumstances rather than any act of ill-intent. It’s also, perhaps, a reminder that not everyone has access to financial resources.
I’m also reminded of other similar tales; a mother with a book, and an abrupt change in life circumstances. Imagine holding onto a book, through all of life’s ups and downs, a high school move to take a job, and a family’s story playing out. The book, a silent witness. The stamp, a permanent mark.
There’s also a lot to be said about the role libraries play in our lives, and not just as places to borrow books, and not just about overdue fines and missing books. It’s about the books that shape us, and the right everyone has to read without having their minds warped. It’s about safeguarding a safe space for everyone, even if that space is for simple children’s stories. Libraries are not just about books, they’re about the opportunity to learn, to escape, and to simply, well, read. And that’s something worth protecting.
The tale about a record being kept for years and still not returned gives the story some comic relief. Just like the character Dave Lister from Red Dwarf. The library had a big impact on society. As usual, I was disappointed, I wanted more.
The question of what the library said is a natural one. The book in question? Your Child, His Family, and Friends by Frances Bruce Strain. And someone mentioned that it was probably a good candidate for weeding, which is pretty funny. And the internet archive having a borrowable copy.
It’s news like this that still makes headlines. And with all of the chaos in the world, to still have this story is a blessing. It’s kind of a good reminder that there are some things we can smile about. Even if the world is burning. The Titanic reference made me laugh.
And the imagined conversation with the librarian is priceless. Especially the “cash or food stamps” line. Another humorous moment! Now the criminal/delinquent question. Well, it’s clear that, in the grand scheme of things, these forgotten books are rarely viewed as serious transgressions.
It’s interesting to remember the impact something like a library book can have on the life of a student. It is something that may have kept someone from graduating. And a fine. A very large fine. And there are repercussions.
Then there’s the story of the Asimov book that got left behind, in the chaos of a student’s life. A life that, quite frankly, has more pressing concerns. It’s easy to see how something like a library book can fall through the cracks. I think we can all relate.
And finally, the Seinfeld bit. “That’s all in the article.” It’s a reminder of why libraries matter, and why we should all take care of the books that we borrow. Maybe it isn’t so much about fines and missing books, but a respect for literature, and the role that libraries play. And, finally, remember the books.