A world of fantastic books, your local library.

A Finnish library-goer returned a book that had been on loan for over 100 years to a library in Vantaa, to a branch that did not even exist when the book was checked out. It was a 1902 volume of “Vartija,” an active religious monthly periodical, last loaned out at the beginning of the twentieth century. The book is so old, librarians don’t even know when it was returned, who returned it, and where the book has been for a century. But all that really matters is… how much would the late fee really be?

There is a fine of 10 pennies a week for late returns, according to an old note attached to the book. However, after 1948 no penni denominations were even issued in Finland. At 10 pennies a week for 100 years the book accrued over 520 “markka” in fines, which was equivalent to 100 Finnish pennies. Between 1914 and 1920 the markka lost 90% of its value, and in 1950 the value of a markka was only equal to a 1914 penni.

So the verdict? Well, the Finnish use Euros like most European nations, so it’s really difficult to calculate anything! Sorry to disappoint you, we’re firing the “math guy” as we type. with the inflation of the twentieth century however we can assume that the fines would not have amounted to all that much. Which is kind of disappointing for a book turned in 100 years late. Of course, what is a 5 penny-a-week fee going to amount too over the course of 100 years? Not that much, because of inflation. Plus, who are you going to charge that fee too?

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