{
  "id": 7676049,
  "title": "Magazine returned to US library after 132 years overdue",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/magazine-returned-to-us-library-after-132-years-overdue",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T01:15:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmn0jk2z760eo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 19th century magazine, overdue for 132 years, has been returned to its original New Hampshire library. The overdue September 1894 issue of The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine was returned last week after the Concord Public Library announced a freeze on fines. The library had stated that the magazine would have incurred a $12,055 (£8,950) fine, amounting to 48,220 days of overdue. The patron, John, had kept the magazine for decades without knowing its origin. He decided to return the magazine upon reading about the library's fine freeze in a local newspaper. Concord Public Library expressed excitement over the return, stating that they had seen many happy faces since announcing the fine freeze. Although the magazine won't be placed back in circulation, it might find its place in the library's local history section, known as the Concord Room. John will not have to pay the $12,055 fine for the 48,220 days of overdue.",
  "summary": "Concord Public Library said it would have incurred a $12,055 overdue fine, had there not been a temporary fine freeze in place.",
  "key_points": [
    "19th century magazine overdue for 132 years returned to Concord Public Library",
    "Library imposed $12,055 fine amounting to 48,220 days of overdue",
    "Patron John returned magazine after reading about fine freeze in local newspaper"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Magazine that was 132 years overdue returned to US library",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/magazine-that-was-132-years-overdue-returned-to-us-library",
        "published": "2026-09-16T03:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}