The Public Library & Community Services
Updated: 4 hours ago
The Public Library & Community Services
I. Vocabulary:
1. Borrow / Check out: (v) To take a book or item home and return it later.
2. Return: (v) To give a borrowed item back to the library.
3. Renew: (v) To extend the time you can keep a borrowed item.
4. Hold / Reserve: (v) To ask the library to save a specific item for you when it becomes available.
5. Due date: (n) The exact date when a borrowed item must be returned.
6.Late fee / Fine: (n) Money you have to pay if you return an item after its due date. 7. Overdue (Adj.): Describing an item that has not been returned to the library by its due date.
8. Library card: (n) A plastic card issued by the library that lets you borrow items and use computers.
9. Releases (Noun): Newly published books, movies, or music items that have recently become available at the library.
10. Access (Verb or Noun): You can use library websites, read online books, and study online from home for free.
II. Reading:
Welcome to the Community Library!
Your local public library offers much more than just books! Read the services and rules below carefully.
Available Services:
Borrowing books, magazines, DVDs, and audiobooks for all ages.
Free public computers, high-speed Wi-Fi, and document scanning.
Printing and photocopying services available for a small fee.
Free English Conversation Circles held every Tuesday evening.
Free beginner computer classes and digital literacy workshops.
Children's Storytime programs and after-school youth study clubs.
Library Rules & Policies:
Regular books can be borrowed for 3 weeks at a time.
DVDs and new releases can be borrowed for 1 week.
Items can be renewed online or by phone up to three times if no one else has a hold on them.
Late fees are $0.25 per day for overdue books and $1.00 per day for overdue DVDs.
You must show a valid photo ID and proof of address to get your free library card.
Free access to study online, read eBooks, and use library websites from your home computer.
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Comprehension Questions:
I. Answer these questions:
1. What day of the week is the English Conversation Circle held?
__________________________________________________________________________
2. How many weeks can you keep a regular library book?
__________________________________________________________________________3. What is the fine if a book is returned late?
__________________________________________________________________________4. Can you use the library computers and high-speed Wi-Fi for free?
__________________________________________________________________________5. What two documents do you need to bring to get your library card?
__________________________________________________________________________
II. Match the library word with the correct definition. Write the correct letter next to the number.
Vocabulary Words
1. Due date _____
2. Late fee _____
3. Renew _____
4. Hold _____
5. Library card _____
Definitions
A. To ask the library to save a book or item for you until it is available.
B. A plastic card you need to borrow items and use computers.
C. The exact day when a borrowed item must be given back to the library.
D. To extend the time you can keep a borrowed item.
E. Money you have to pay if you return an item after its due date.
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III. Choose the correct word from the word bank above to complete each sentence. Use each word only once.
Word Bank: Borrow - Access - Fee - Programs - Proof
1. You can ___________________ up to ten books at one time with your library card. 2. The library offers free Wi-Fi so students can get internet ___________________ on their laptops.
3. If you want to take out a library card, you must bring a document as ___________________ of your home address.
4. The public library runs many helpful community ___________________, such as English conversation circles and computer workshops.
5. You can use the public computers for free, but there is a small ___________________ if you want to print paper copies of your documents.
IV. Rearrange the following conversations:
Conversation one: Checking Out a Book
Characters: Sounia (Library Patron)
Librarian (Library Staff Member)
Librarian: "If they are returned late, you will have to pay a small late fee of twenty-five cents per day for each book."
Librarian: "Hello! Sure, let me scan those for you. Do you have your library card?"
Librarian: "Thank you, Sounia. Your due date for these books is in three weeks, on November 18th."
Sounia: "Hello! I would like to borrow these two books and this DVD, please."
Sounia: "Okay, what happens if I forget and the books become overdue?"
Sounia: "Yes, here it is."
Conversation 2: Returning an Overdue Item
Characters: Jack (Library Patron)
Librarian (Library Staff Member)
Jack: "Oh, I'm so sorry! I forgot to renew it online. How much is the late fee?"
Jack: "Hi there! I need to return this DVD today, but I forgot about the due date."
Jack: "Okay, that makes sense. Can I pay the seven dollars right now using my debit card?"
Librarian: "Hello, Jack! Let me scan that for you. Ah, yes, this item was due last week, so it is one week overdue."
Librarian: "Yes, you can tap your card right here on the terminal. Thank you, Jack, and your account is all clear now!"
Librarian: "The fee is one dollar per day for DVDs, so for seven days overdue, the total fine is seven dollars."
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Grammar Focus: Present Simple vs. Present Continuous
1. Quick Review: When Do We Use Each Tense?
Present Simple: Used for habits, routines, facts, and things that are generally true. (Signal words: every day, usually, always, sometimes, on Mondays)
Present Continuous: Used for actions happening right now (at the moment of speaking) or temporary actions. (Signal words: right now, currently, at the moment, today)
2. Comparison Table:
Sentence | Tense Used | Why? (Rule) |
1. Maria borrows books from the library every week. | Present Simple (Verb) | It is a regular habit or routine. |
2. Maria is borrowing a new book right now. | Present Continuous (Verb phrase) | It is happening at this exact moment. |
3. Librarians help community members find information. | Present Simple (Verb) | It is a general fact or job duty. |
4. Look! The librarian is helping a resident at the desk. | Present Continuous (Verb phrase) | It is happening right now as we speak. |
5. Jack studies English at the community centre on Tuesdays. | Present Simple (Verb) | It is a scheduled routine or weekly schedule. |
3. Form and Structure (How to Build Them)
A. Present Simple Structure
Affirmative (+): Subject + Base Verb (add -s or -es for he/she/it).
Example: She reads a book. / They borrow books.
Negative (-): Subject + don't / doesn't + Base Verb.
Example: He doesn't work on Sundays.
B. Present Continuous Structure
Affirmative (+): Subject + am / is / are + Verb(-ing).
Example: I am reading a book. / We are studying.
Negative (-): Subject + am not / isn't / aren't + Verb(-ing).
Example: She isn't working today.
I. Choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses (Present Simple or Present Continuous) to complete each sentence.
Every Tuesday, Sounia _______________ (attend / is attending) the English conversation circle at the library.
Listen! The librarian _______________ (explains / is explaining) the library rules right now.
Jack usually _______________ (renews / is renewing) his books online before the due date.
Right now, we _______________ (read / are reading) a grammar lesson about verb tenses.
Public libraries _______________ (offer / are offering) free Wi-Fi and computer access to the community.
Look at Tom! He _______________ (returns / is returning) an overdue DVD at the service desk.
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