Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Borrowing a Library Book
Ask to borrow a book, check when to return it and find out how to renew it.
Your speaking goal
Borrow a book and confirm its return date and the way to ask for more time.
Before you start: Choose an imaginary book title and return date. Use a fictional library card.
Your six-step practice plan
- Understand: Read the goal and check the useful phrases.
- Listen or read: Follow both roles. Audio is optional.
- Repeat: Say one short line at a time, then join the words smoothly.
- Change details: Replace two details with imaginary ones.
- Role-play: Read the other person’s question, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles.
- Review: Use the “I can” checks below. Repeat any part that still needs help.
Work at your own pace. A clear message matters more than copying a particular accent.
Listen, read and notice
Roles: Reader and Librarian
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Reader: Hello. I’d like to borrow this book, please.
Librarian: Of course. Do you have your library card?
Reader: Yes, here it is.
Librarian: Thank you. Please return the book by the eighteenth of November.
Reader: The eighteenth of November. Is that right?
Librarian: Yes. The date is also on your receipt.
Reader: Can I renew it if I need more time?
Librarian: You can ask to renew it online or at the desk. We’ll check whether another reader is waiting for it.
Reader: If someone is waiting, will I need to return it?
Librarian: Yes, in that case we can’t renew it.
Reader: Thank you. I’ll check before the return date.
Useful phrases and what they do
- I’d like to borrow this book. — Ask to take a library book home temporarily.
- Please return it by ___. — Give the latest date for returning it.
- Can I renew it? — Ask to extend the time you may keep it.
- Is that right? — Check a detail you have heard.
Say it clearly
Say the return date in a short group: ‘the eighteenth / of November’. Make the end of ‘eighteenth’ clear at a comfortable pace; you can repeat the date to confirm it.
Build your own replies
Can I renew ___? → We’ll check whether it can be renewed.
Ask and check
Could you repeat the return date, please? → The eighteenth of November.
Common mistakes and alternatives
You borrow a book from the library; the library lends it to you. Say ‘Can I borrow this book?’, rather than ‘Can you borrow me this book?’. Renewal arrangements in this dialogue are fictional; check your library’s rules.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
What does ‘return it by the eighteenth of November’ mean?
Show answer 1 and explanation
Return it no later than 18 November. You may return it earlier; ‘by’ does not mean you must wait until that date.
Question 2
Is renewal guaranteed in this dialogue?
Show answer 2 and explanation
No. The librarian needs to check whether another reader is waiting for the book.
Question 3
Which request is natural: ‘Can I borrow this book?’ or ‘Can you borrow me this book?’
Show answer 3 and explanation
‘Can I borrow this book?’ is natural. You can also ask ‘Could you lend me this book?’. Borrow describes receiving something temporarily; lend describes giving it temporarily.
Your turn: make it a real exchange
Practise alone: read the other person’s line, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles. No partner is needed.
Role A
Ask to borrow a book, repeat its return date and ask how to request more time.
Role B
Check for a fictional library card, give a return date and explain a renewal condition.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: Renewal is unavailable. Ask whether you can reserve the book to borrow again later.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can ask to borrow a book.
- I can confirm a return date.
- I can ask about renewal without assuming it is available.