Library

Posted by MichikoNakamura Sat, 24 Nov 2007 15:40:18 GMT

ポッドキャスト

If you want to borrow books from the public library, you will need a library card. Anyone can get one, even foreigners. There are only two requirements. See if you can hear them in this conversation at the public library:

Librarian: Hello.
Patron: Hi, I want to get a library card.
Librarian: All right. We need to see some kind of ID.
Patron: I have a question. How old do you have to be to get a library card?
Librarian: You just have to be able to sign your name.

The first requirement was that you need to have an ID. The second was that you need to be able to fill out an application and sign your name. Read these example sentences:

"I want to get a library card"

"I'd like to get a library card"

Now you may want to find a certain book but don't know where it is. Nowadays, you can find where something is through the use of a computer. When you use the computer you can find a certain book if you know the name of the book or the author. Read these example conversations:

Michael: What's the name of the book?
Michiko: The book is called "The Firm."

Michael: What's the title of the book?
Michiko: The title is The Blessing.

Michael: Who's the author?
Michiko: The author is Gary Smalley.

Read these example sentences:

"The book is called "The Firm'"

"The title of the book is "The Blessing'"

"The author is Gary Smalley"

To find the location of a book , your question should sound like this:

"Where can I find this book?"

or

"Where is this located?"

The librarian may answer by saying:

"This book is located upstairs on the third floor."

The computer is very good for researching a certain topic. You can search for a book by looking at the subject. But you have to be specific.

If you look at a book and you're confused, you can ask the librarian
this question:

"What is the call number of this book?"

Now, read this next conversation:

Patron: I'd like to borrow these books.
Librarian: O.K. may I have your library card?
Patron: Here you are. When do I have to return these books?
Librarian: You have three weeks to keep them.

You have to bring your library card if you want to borrow something. When you decide which book you want to borrow, you can use this
sentence:

"I'd like to borrow these books"

There are different kinds of books that people like to read. When you talk to friends, your conversation might sound like this:

Michael: Have you read Jurassic Park?
Michiko: No, who's the author?
Michael: It was written by Michael Crichton.
Michiko: What kind of book is it?
Michael: It's science-fiction.
Michiko: Is it a well-known book?
Michael: Kind of. It was a best seller last year and they even made it into a movie.
Michiko: By the way Harry, I didn't know you were such a bookworm.
Michael: Yup, I love to read!

In this conversation, he wanted to know if she had read a certain book. Also, he might want to know if the book is popular or not. Read these example sentences:

"Have you read "Jurassic Park"?"

"Is it a well-known book?"

"Is it a best seller?"

You might want to know who wrote it. In that case, you can ask these questions:

"Who wrote it?"

"Who was it written by?"

The person will answer by saying:

"It was written by Michael Crichton"

Now listen to these short example conversations:

Michael: Have you read "Jurassic Park"?
Michiko: Who wrote it?
Michael: Michael Crichton wrote it.

Michael: Have you read "Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend"?
Michiko: Who was it written by?
Michael: It was written by Robert James Waller.

A bookworm is what we call someone who loves to read. For example:

"He is such a bookworm"

There are different parts of a textbook. The first part that you may come across is the foreword. Sometimes there is also a page thanking people who have helped in the book. This is called the acknowledgments page. Another page that will introduce the book is called an introduction.
Read these example sentences:

"The foreword was written by Ronald Reagan"

"My name was mentioned in the acknowledgment page"

"The professor wanted us to read the introduction"

The library is a great place to read. There are also other things you can do there. Read this next conversation:

Michiko: Max, what are you doing here?
Max: I have to do research for a project. What about you?
Michiko: I had some free time so I just came to browse and maybe find some new books.
Max: Don't you usually come here to study?
Michiko: Yes, I study in the carrels because I can concentrate better than at home.
Max: I know what you mean. Sometimes I bring my kids here to hear stories or watch films. Then I can do my own work.

Browsing means to just look around with no serious purpose in mind.

Read these example sentences:

"I'm just browsing"

"I'm not looking for anything in particular"

At a library, they often have children's programs. They have story hours and some libraries even have small auditoriums to show films.
Read this next conversation.

Michael: Michiko, did you hear about Polly? She went to Los Angeles and…
Michiko: Please stop bothering me Michael. I can't concentrate.
Michael: But I just want to tell you this juicy piece of information.
Michiko: I told you to go away and stop talking to me. You're irritating me.

At the library you're supposed to be quiet. If you want you're friend to be quiet you can say these sentences:

"Please be quiet"

"Please don't bother me now"

Now let's change the subject and talk about "overdue" books. Read this final conversation at the library.

Librarian: Hello, may I help you?
Patron: Yes, what are your hours today?
Librarian: We're open from 10:00 to 8:00.
Patron: That's too bad.
Librarian: What's wrong?
Patron: I have books that are due today.
Librarian: Oh, that's no problem, just drop them off at the bookdrop.

Read these example sentences:

"My books are due today"

"I want to return these books"

"I'd like to return these books"