Magazine that was 132 years overdue returned to US library
Concord Public Library said it would have incurred a $12,055 overdue fine, had there not been a temporary fine freeze in place.
A magazine borrowed from a New Hampshire library 132 years ago has at last been returned.
Concord Public Library said the overdue September 1894 issue of *The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine* came back last week after the library announced a freeze on fines.
The magazine was 48,220 days late and would have triggered a $12,055 (£8,950) penalty.
The person who returned it, John, said it had been "hanging around" his house for decades, though he had no idea how it ended up there.
He chose to bring it back after seeing the library’s fine freeze reported in the local newspaper.
"We've witnessed many happy faces since announcing our fine freeze," Concord Public Library wrote on Facebook.
"Of course, we expected long overdue books to be returned, but certainly not something from the late 19th century!"
Concord Public Library introduced a year-long amnesty on overdue fines from 1 September 2026, with plans to assess the impact of a "fine-free library".
"Understandably, it won't be placed back in circulation, but perhaps it deserves a spot in the Concord Room," the social media post said, referring to a part of the library devoted to local history.
"Thankfully, he won't have to pay the $12,055 fine for being 48,220 days overdue."