NARRATOR:
You will hear two friends discussing the facilities and activities at a recently reopened public library.
NARRATOR:
First, you have some time to look at questions one to four.
NARRATOR:
Now listen carefully and answer questions one to four.
PAUL:
Hi Susie, it's Paul.
PAUL:
Are you enjoying the new job?
PAUL:
You're at the library now, aren't you?
SUSIE:
Yes, I began when the library reopened last month and I'm really enjoying it.
PAUL:
Carol and I have actually been planning to become members for some time.
SUSIE:
Membership is free and the rebuilt library provides all kinds of facilities.
SUSIE:
It isn't simply somewhere to borrow books.
SUSIE:
There's a comfortable seating area, for example, where visitors can read the magazines.
SUSIE:
Some people stay there all morning.
PAUL:
I wish I had enough spare time to do that.
SUSIE:
You must be extremely busy at the moment with the children and everything else.
PAUL:
Still, we hope to take a holiday this summer, perhaps in Greece.
SUSIE:
Then you should look at our travel section.
SUSIE:
It's much larger than before.
SUSIE:
I can't remember whether we have books specifically about Greece, but I expect we do.
PAUL:
Carol is also preparing a project for the history class she teaches.
PAUL:
It's about daily life in the town a century ago.
PAUL:
Would the library have anything useful?
SUSIE:
We've created a new collection about local history covering both the town and the surrounding area.
PAUL:
That kind of material isn't always available online.
PAUL:
The old library had a separate reference room, which was a wonderfully quiet place.
SUSIE:
The reference books are now in the main library.
SUSIE:
However, we have a community room that organizations can hire for meetings.
SUSIE:
When no meeting is taking place, members may use it to study.
PAUL:
I could certainly use that.
PAUL:
Finding a quiet place at home is sometimes impossible.
SUSIE:
I can't remember the ages of your son and daughter.
SUSIE:
There's now a special fiction section for teenagers, although they may still be too young for it.
NARRATOR:
Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions five to ten.
NARRATOR:
Now listen and answer questions five to ten.
SUSIE:
We do organize plenty of activities for younger children, though.
SUSIE:
One is the science club.
SUSIE:
At its next meeting, the children will carry out experiments using ordinary things found in the kitchen, such as flour and sugar.
PAUL:
They might enjoy that.
SUSIE:
There's also a children's competition called the reading challenge.
SUSIE:
It begins after the school term finishes.
SUSIE:
Participants read six books during the holidays and receive a certificate if they complete the challenge.
PAUL:
That should stop them becoming bored during the break.
SUSIE:
That's the intention.
SUSIE:
We arrange events for adults as well.
SUSIE:
This Friday, a local writer named Tanya Streep will discuss her new novel, Catch the Mouse.
SUSIE:
The story is based on a crime that really happened in this area many years ago.
PAUL:
We're busy on Friday, but I'll look for the novel.
SUSIE:
This next service may not be relevant to you, but members can get help with information technology.
SUSIE:
Many older people come because they want to improve their computer skills.
SUSIE:
Support is offered on Tuesday mornings, and there's no need to make an appointment.
SUSIE:
People can simply arrive.
PAUL:
My mother might find that useful.
PAUL:
I'll mention it to her.
SUSIE:
We also provide something people don't normally associate with a library, a free health check, a hospital worker visits to measure blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
SUSIE:
Yes, although it's restricted to people over 60, so you don't qualify yet.
PAUL:
I'll tell my mother about that too.
SUSIE:
Let me think what else you should know.
SUSIE:
The small library shop sells wall charts, greeting cards and stamps, which means you can post a card immediately after buying it.
PAUL:
I'll bring the children at the weekend so that we can all join.
PAUL:
Is parking available?
SUSIE:
Parking is free during the evenings and at weekends.
