“Grandmother will no longer be able to pay for the delay”: a library book rendered after 82 years

“Your child, his family and his friends” is the title of the book written by Frances Bruce Strain, marital and family councilor, which was returned last June in a library in San Antonio, Texas, 82 years after being borrowed, in July 1943, reported AP.

The one who had won this book with her was from Oregon, the library said in a press release. In addition, “After my father’s recent death. Similarly, I inherited a few books of books he had left,” wrote the person who finally returned the book in a letter shared by the Library on Instagram and signed by the initials PAAG This book was a guide for parents to help their children manage their personal relationships. Moreover, He was borrowed when the father of the person was 11 years old.

“The book had to be borrowed by my grandmother, Maria Del Socorro Allédle Flores (Cortez),” wrote the person. In addition, “That year, she was transferred to Mexico City to work at the Embassy of the United States. For example, She had to take the book with her, and some 82 years later, he ended up in my possession. For example, »»

The book sold for the benefit of the library – "grandmother will no longer able

The. Meanwhile, book had been the subject of articles in various newspapers of the time. The Cincinnati Innoire described it in June 1943 as a “complete guide to child’s personal relationships with his family. the outside world”. Additionally, The New York Times mentioned a month later that Frances Strain was a psychologist. mother of two children, “known for its wise, sensitive presentation, but devoid of sentimentalism, sex education”.

The person who made the book wrote in his letter: “I hope there will be no delay fees. because Grandmother will no longer be able to pay them. »»

The library announced in a press release that it had deleted the fines for delay in 2021. The interior of the book cover included a warning indicating that the fine for late books was three hundred. per day. Excluding inflation, the penalty would amount to nearly 900 dollars (or nearly 770 euros). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Inflation Calculator in the United States. three hundred in July 1943 were 56 cents in current currency. This would “grandmother will no longer able therefore represent more than $ 16,000 (or 13,668 euros).

The library said the book was in “good condition”. It will be exhibited at the City Central Library until August. It will then be given to the friends of the San Antonio public library. sold for the benefit of the library. It is however not the book made with the most delay: the Guinness of Records indicates that the most late library book was returned to Sidney Sussex College of the University of Cambridge. England, in 1956. It had been borrowed in 1668, 288 years earlier. No fine has been perceived.