Book returned to Åland library 92 years overdue

A book borrowed from Saltvik municipal library in Åland has been returned 92 years and six months late, but the borrower’s relatives will not face a €6,757 late fee, Yle reports.

The book, A. S. M. Hutchinson’s Om vintern råder, was found during a change of generations at an old house. The person who brought it back to the library in the spring is believed to be a relative of the original borrower.

Library secretary Malin Blomqvist said the due-date slip inside the book showed it had been due in 1933. Library records indicate that it was added to the collection in 1932. The book has been borrowed five times.

The library did not charge a fee. Blomqvist said she was simply glad to have the book back and described its return as culturally and historically valuable. The library could not identify the original borrower, and the person returning the book had not borrowed it.

Under the late-fee rate used by Åland’s central library, a calculation from 1932 would produce a fee of about €6,757. However, the library did not pursue payment.

The book is believed to be Finland’s second-longest-overdue returned library book. Five years ago, a book borrowed more than 140 years earlier was returned to Paattinen library, which is part of Turku City Library. It had been borrowed in the 1870s by Gustaf Lönnmark, a curate at Paattinen Church. His relatives found and returned it in 2021; it is now available for research but cannot be borrowed. No late fee was charged.