Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Minnesota News
Sam Stroozas

100 years overdue, book finally returned to St. Paul Public Library

Photos of an old book-1
A book checked out from St. Paul Public Library was returned roughly 100 years later.
Courtesy photo

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

It must have been a very good read.

“Famous Composers” by Nathan Haskell Dole, the 1902 edition, explores the lives of 33 composers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin. It was last checked out of the St. Paul Public Library in 1919, but it was never returned, lost to the ages — until this week.

A Hennepin County resident found the book while sorting through their mother’s belongings. Library officials confirmed it was their book. There are two stamps on the back page, one reads 1914 and the other, 1916. The two dates mean the book was entered in the Library’s catalog twice. 

First, in 1914 when the city’s library was in Market Hall and Central Library was still being built. In 1915, Market Hall burned down. The book was likely added back to the collection in 1916 before the 1917 opening of the Central Library. 

The check-out slip on the back of the book concludes that it was last checked out in 1919. 

John Larson, the St. Paul Public Library’s digital library coordinator, 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. Maybe once every five or 10 years we will see something that is incredibly overdue,” he said.

Photos of an old book-2
“Famous Composers” by Nathan Haskell Dole, the 1902 edition, explores the lives of 33 composers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin.
Courtesy photo

The St. Paul library system did away with late fees in 2019. At the time, it had $2.5 million in uncollected debt that when eliminated unblocked 42,000 library cards, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

During the time period the book was checked out, Larson believes a late fee would have been a penny a day. According to his math, that would amount to a $36,000 fine. 

The future of the book is unsure. Larson doubts it will go back into circulation because of its delicate condition, but believes the library will hang onto it. 

“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 said. 

And for those who may find overdue books from five, 10, or 20 years ago, Larson encourages Minnesotans to bring them back. All is forgiven.