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Public Library

Public Library

Date: Oct 02 2007

Themes: Hobbies

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

The library might seem a little square, but think about it for a minute. Libraries are usually in neat-looking, old buildings, so that’s cool. Plus, where else can go and take anything you want home with you for free?

The only thing better than checking out books is checking out the other people at the library. If you see a cute guy or girl in the library, you know he or she has to be at least a little intelligent, right? And you can tell what someone’s interests are based on what type of books they’re examining. Of course, when looking for dates in the library, it’s wise to stay away from the psychology section. Anyone reading Ayn Rand is probably a bad idea too.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Kevin

Kevin

Amanda

Amanda

Kevin:  Have you ever gone to the Multnomah Public Library?

Amanda:  Yes I have.

Kevin:  ...Which is like the oldest west of the Mississippi. It’s like a big deal.

Amanda:  I didn’t know that, but I think that the library is one of the most fabulous but underused resources. A lot of people have never even been to the local library. And it’s so fantastic…for free! And for three weeks, you can check out 100 books.

Kevin:  Really?

Amanda:  They trust you that much.

Kevin:  That many?

Amanda:  Yes. On the honor system, 100 books, 25 DVDs, all based on trust.

Kevin:  You’re kidding. So do you use it often?

Amanda:  I do use it often because I’d rather go there than Blockbuster to get the same DVD for as long as I want for free…as long as you don’t abuse the system and that’s where it gets a little shady.

Kevin:  Some people do, but probably few. I know people who use it frequently, especially here. It seems like a community that supports the public library.

Amanda:  Yes. On a Friday or Saturday night, it’s pretty cool when you see it packed, you know? Bar or library…and a lot of people will choose library, believe it or not.

Kevin:  Or maybe both.

Amanda:  I think it’s become kind of a singles market too.

Kevin:  Good to know. I’ll keep that in mind.

Amanda:  You should.

 

Quizzes

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Discussion

Amanda has been to the public library in Portland, but she didn’t know that it’s the oldest library on this side of the country until Kevin told her. Kevin didn’t know that you can check out 100 books from the library until Amanda told him.

You can also check out 25 DVDs, which is what Amanda likes to do. It’s better than renting them from a video store like Blockbuster because it’s free and you can keep them for as long as you like.

When you check something out of the library, you’re on your honor to bring it back. The police won’t come looking for you if you don’t return a library book. The worst that can happen is the library stops lending you books. But Kevin points out that people don’t often abuse the library, especially in Portland where people like the library a lot.

Kevin doesn’t mention it, but people in Portland use the library more than people in any other American city. Maybe that’s because they’re all there to find a date. Amanda jokes that people go to the library instead of a bar on a Friday or Saturday night.

What is the library system like where you live? When’s the last time you checked out a book (or a potential mate) at the library?

 

Comments

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rebecca9623

China

it's a pity that i couldn't find a public library in my hometown.But i believe there will be one in the near future. and i still remember the happy days i spent in my college library .

03:17 PM Oct 02 2007 |

Lost heart

Syrian Arab Republic

I like reading soooooo much…but I don't have a time for that as usual..

02:27 PM Oct 02 2007 |

tottiahmed

tottiahmed

Qatar

I'm not a library fan. I prefer Electronic books. However I think I should spend more time in the library because the atmosphre encourage you to read.

11:59 AM Oct 02 2007 |

serena liti

China

Libraries are becoming more and more popular in China nowadays.In the past, there are only two major public library in Beijing except university libraries.

For me, I go to my university library almost once a week, more often then public ones. The university library already has so many books that I do not think I can finish them before my graduation.

Once, when I go to a public library , I read some words someone had left in 《the little prince》 many years ago saying that she wanted to fly with the little prince and she was searching for a friend as the fox. I contacted her and we became good friends, it's amazing.

 

10:53 AM Oct 02 2007 |

Christoph07

Germany

Libraries are necessary for universities. For my studying I need masses of regulations. And it is easy to get this from computer at the library of university of dresden. You get this in PDF-files. Ive heard a report about libraries of universities in Germany. And it was a suprise to hear that they need a lot of money not only for books or the buildings. They need also a lot of money for newspapers and scientific-journals. One examplethey said in the report of radio: a standing order for a journal for chemical-scientists cost 17.000Euro in one year. So it is normally in Germany if a library must save her money, they will dissolving the standing-order-contracts for journals at first. 

09:46 AM Oct 02 2007 |

somaliland

somaliland

Somalia

i used it to improve my knowledge. libraries are the most benifit resource in the world

06:34 AM Oct 02 2007 |

Max_2000i

Max_2000i

Australia

Hi Friends, yeah it's perfect idea to spend time in libraries and enjoy your time by studying your favorite books.but I'm very comfortable when I  studying in my room,maybe I used that. Thanks Friends ;) Good Luck.

05:54 AM Oct 02 2007 |

Liliya-22

Liliya-22

Russian Federation

I live in a students' town. So, there are a great many of libraries here. And when I studied at an Universuty I visited a library a lot. Now I don't have much time for that. But it remeber it's great place to meet someone there! Wink

05:38 AM Oct 02 2007 |

yanyan5656

yanyan5656

China

trust is very important.it's not only need in library,but also need in our daily life.

03:04 AM Oct 02 2007 |

bd_xinji041

China

I  go to my school library to check out books which I am interested as long as I have free time

02:44 AM Oct 02 2007 |

ana p. dewiyana

Indonesia

Library in my place is using conventional system. I checked out books at the library last month.

Tell about library, I remember to a book for children, the title Magic Library Bibi Bokken by Jostein Gaarder. This book tell more about library, bibliography, bibliographer, and manuscript. And from this book, I know more about library.

 

01:57 AM Oct 02 2007 |

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