A library is a place for you to read, to know and to grow.

The library is the temple of learning and learning has liberated more people than all wars in history. Carl T. Rowan


If you want an education go to the library.

The word “library” comes from the Latin word “liber”, meaning “book”. This is a place where information in print (books, manuscripts, periodicals and musical scores) and in other forms is collected and arranged to serve people of all ages and interests.

Libraries appeared in ancient times in Egypt, Assyria, Greece and Rome. Perhaps the most famous library of that early day was at Alexandria. It was found by Ptolomy I. Ptolomy ordered the librarians to collect all Greek texts as well as manuscripts in other languages from every part of the known world. By the middle of the 1st century BC there were about 700,000 papyrus rolls in the library.

The first libraries in Ukraine were established in medieval monasteries.

The library today is the centre for all kinds of communications: printed, pictured, recorded, and even electronically stored. People go to the library to read, look, listen, search, inquire, relax, discuss, learn and think.

Libraries can be found in many places. There are libraries in small towns and large cities, and there are libraries in schools, universities, colleges.

The largest and best known libraries in the world are: The British National Library in London and the Library of Congress in Washington.

The national libraries of different countries keep in touch and exchange books and information.

Most libraries have a professionally educated staff whose first duty is to help you. Librarians also select and purchase books and other materials, organize materials so that you can easily use them, answer questions about facts, people, events, or advise you how to find information you need.

Many people have books at home. These are the books of their favourite authors, dictionaries and reference books and the like. My family also has a home library. It was my grandfather who started to collect it at the beginning of this century. There are over two thousand books in it. The authors I like most of all are Chekhov, Bulgakov, Fitzgerald, Jack London and others.

Answer the questions

  1. What word does the word “library” come from?
  2. What is a library?
  3. Where did the first libraries appear?
  4. What do you know about the famous library in Alexandria?
  5. What is the library today?
  6. Where can libraries be found?
  7. Why do people go to libraries?
  8. What are the famous libraries of the world?
  9. What do we call the people who help us in libraries?
  10. Have you got any books at home?
  11. Do you often borrow books from the library?

Speak about libraries and your reading preferences.