Everyday English for Librarians

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Frequently asked questions

  1. ‘Introduce yourself and tell me about where you work’
  2. ‘Which department of the library do you work in, and what do you do there on a day-to-day basis?’
  3. ‘Please can you tell me, do you have a music library?’
  4.  ‘Please can you tell me where to find the washroom?’
  5.  ‘How many floors does the library have? 
  6.  Is disabled access good?’
  7.  ‘Please can you describe to me how to get to your library from the nearest U-Bahn?’
  8.  ‘Please can you tell me where I can park near to the library?’
  9.  ‘Is there somewhere I can work quietly in the library?’
  10.  ‘Is there somewhere I can plug my laptop into the internet?’
  11.  ‘Can I take my bag into the library with me?’
  12.  ‘Where is the main book collection?’
  13.  ‘Where can I put my bags?’
  14. Ask your partner an open question about their work.
  15.  ‘What are the publications on this floor about?
  16.  ‘Where should I go if I need some help to find a book?’
  17.  ‘What should I do if I can’t remember the author or the exact title of the book I’m looking for?’
  18.  Ask your partner an open question about their home life.
  19.  ‘How much are the fines if I am late returning a book?’
  20.  ‘What does ‘semesterapparat’ mean?’
  21.  ‘Please can you tell me where the lift is?’
  22.  ‘Is there a way to search for a book from home?’
  23.  ‘How can I find more information about the Architect, Gaudi?’
  24.  ‘This entry says the book is in your closed stacks, what does this mean?’
  25.  ‘I want to do some work with a book in your reference collection.  Can I take it home?’
  26.  How would you say ‘ No eating in the library!’ in a more friendly way?
  27.  How else can you say ‘Do not leave your coats lying on the table’ in a more indirect way?
  28.  ‘How can I get a library card?’
  29.  ‘I want to take these books out, where do I need to take them?’
  30.  ‘Can I renew my books remotely* online?   (*‘remotely’ means ‘from a distance’)
  31.  ‘What do I need to do to reserve a book?’
  32.  ‘What happens if I do not return the books on time?’
  33.  How else can you say ‘Do not leave your coats lying on the table’ in a more indirect way
  34.  ‘How many books can I borrow?’
  35.  Ask your partner an open question about their free time.
  36.  ‘What do I need to join the Library?’
  37.  ‘Can I take a periodical out on loan?’
  38. How else can you say: ‘No, you cannot do this.’ in a more friendly way?
  39.  ‘Do you have an on-line catalogue, and where can I access it?’
  40.  ‘What types of information can I use to perform a search on your online catalogue?’
  41.  ‘How can I reduce the number of hits on the search engine of your online catalogue?’
  42.  ‘By which categories can I sort the search results on your online catalogue?
  43.  ‘How can I renew my books?’
  44.  ‘Where can I put my coat?’
  45.  ‘How can I search your catalogue?’
  46.  ‘How do I find more books about de-forestation in South America?’
  47.  ‘Do you have the latest copy of Time magazine among your periodicals?’
  48.  ‘I wish to have the sheet music for ‘Penny Lane’ by Lennon and McCartney - can I get it here?’
  49.  ‘The lady behind the desk was talking about a shelf mark – what did she mean?’
  50.  ‘How are the books arranged here, are they grouped by author?’
  51.  ‘What access can I have to electronic media?’
  52.  ‘I’m sorry these books are two weeks overdue, I have been away on a field trip.’
  53.  ‘Can I take books from the rare book collection home?’
  54.  ‘Where can I find books by Charles Dickens?’
  55.  ‘The lady at the information desk said I had to fill out an Inter-library loan request form, what does this mean?’
  56.  ‘I can’t find one of these books at home – I may have lost it – what happens now?’
  57.  ‘Is there a charge for using the photocopier?’
  58.  ‘How long can I keep this book for?’
  59.  ‘Where is the nearest place I can eat my lunch?’
  60.  ‘Is there a café nearby?’
  61.  ‘What buses or other public transport stop close to the Library?’
  62.  ‘Can I arrange to have a small meeting here?’
  63.  ‘Is there a maximum number of books I can take out?’
  64.  ‘What sort of identification do you need?’
  65.  ‘Why can’t I take my bags into the library?’
  66.  ‘How much do you charge to take out DVDs?’
  67.  ‘Can you tell me how I can find more books by this author?’
  68.  ‘Please can you tell me how to use the lockers?’
  69.  Ask your partner an open question about their hobbies.
  70.  ‘I can’t remember the title of a book I took out last month,  I know it had a green cover….’
  71.  ‘Where do you keep the romance novels?’
  72.  Ask your partner an open question about their last holiday.
  73. ‘Do you have a special section for Science Fiction?’
  74. ‘I have forgotten my library card, can I still take out some books?’
  75. ‘Can you tell me who wrote a novel called ‘Les Miserables?’
  76. ‘Where can I find more information on the German romantic movement?’
  77. ‘Where can I find a copy of today’s ‘Tagesspiegel’?’
  78. ‘Is there a noticeboard where I can pin up a poster about starting an English conversation lunch club?’
  79. ‘Excuse me, I wonder if we can talk in English?’
  80. ‘How can I find you again if I need further help?’
  81. ‘Do you work here every day?’
  82. ‘How can I reserve a study carrell for tomorrow?’
  83. ‘Is there a place where I can smoke?’
  84. ‘How much does it cost if my books are overdue?’
  85. ‘Can I leave my books here with you while I go to lunch?’
  86. ‘How much does it cost to join the library?
  87. ‘Can I renew my books by telephone?’
  88. ‘Is there a limit to the number of DVDs I can take out?’
  89. ‘At what time does the library close in the Evening?’
  90. ‘Is the library open on Sunday?’
  91. ‘Are there special opening times for Saturdays?’
  92. ‘When is the library open over the Christmas holidays?’
  93. ‘How many floors is the library on?’
  94. ‘Can I use my i-pad in the library?’
  95. ‘Where would I find the recipe books?   - I need to find out how to cook lasagne’
  96. ‘What is the longest period of time that I can lend a book for?’
  97. ‘Where can I find a quiet place to work?’
  98. ‘Can I send you an e-mail here at the library?  What is your address?’
  99. ‘If I want a book that is not in your catalogue, will you buy it for the library?’
  100. ‘Where can I find the course literature for the ‘Music Studies 003’ course?’
  101. ‘Who can I speak to about reserving a book?’
  102. ‘Which way to the lift, please?’
  103. ‘Can you explain to me how to renew my books without coming into the library?’
  104. ‘Why do you not allow eating in the library?’
  105. ‘Is there somewhere that I can safely park my bicycle?’
  106. ‘Will you tell me when my books are overdue?’
  107. ‘Do you have an English to Italian dictionary in the library?  Where would I find it?’
  108. ‘Can you recommend a restaurant close to the library; I am meeting a colleague for lunch’.
  109. ‘What is the due date for these books please?’
  110. ‘Can you tell me if I still have any books out on my account?’
  111. 'Please can you tell me how to use your self-issue machine?'
  112. 'Do you have any extra services on the library’s website?'
  113. 'Do you have audio books in English in the library?