Drastically remodeled and re-equipped. To what extent do you agree or disagree

with it? Prove your mind;

* wider facilities;

* free Internet access;

* information technology;

* to cater for individual interests.

Readers make more than 400 million visits a year to their local library with 10 million book borrowers calling at least once every two weeks. But for all that success, it is recognised that UK libraries have to be drastically re-equipped to face new challenges in the 21 st century.

Although libraries are regarded overwhelmingly as lenders of books and a variety of printed information, there is pressing need for wider facilities, as pinpointed in the recent publication.

Additionally, it is envisaged that IT in libraries will include tailor-made facilities for the physically disadvantaged. For deaf people, the government has recognised the development of British Sign Language (BSL) and is supplying one million pounds of funding in support.

The town of Gateshead, north-east England, is offering information services in formats which includes BSL along with Braille, audio and video tape. The Deaf Women's Health Group, which meets monthly at Gateshead Central Library, has full access to a videophone where sign language conversations can be held between members.

But for all the emphasis on IT, providing books remains the core function of public libraries. The public library service is every bit as important today as it was when the first libraries opened. Going to the library for books and general information has been part of our lives for more than 100 years

We also intend to set up after-school home work clubs in libraries. Writers and readers groups are already being formed to cater for individual interests such as science-fiction, poetry and particular periods in history.

Idea Stores are a modern interpretation of what a library can be. Around a core stock of books and information, staff help people to learn, look for jobs, access public services or simply enjoy themselves.

 

11. Give short talk on necessity of reading in general. Remember to say that for some people reading is:

• just a source of information;
• a reliable adviser in life;
• a certain refuge for the lonely;
• a pastime.

“Books and friends should be few but good”, says an English proverb. Books stir up our imagination, fill up our minds with the new ideas, fill our life with great expectations of joy and happiness, they develop our intellect. Together with the characters of books you can find yourself in different and countries, have a lot of adventures. The book is a faithful friend. They form our values and characters. We can hardly read some books and stories for laughing and some dramas and romances for tears. Books give food for our mind and warmth for our soul. There are different kinds of books, which appeal to different kinds of readers. They are science-fiction and fantasy stories, detective and spy stories, tales and fairy-tales, books about animals and nature, adventure books and books about travels, humorous stories, historical dramas, biographies and autobiographies, essays. What concerns me, I prefer to read fantastic, romantic and humorous stories. I have read a lot of interesting books, but my favourite book is

«The adventures of Tom Sawyer» by Mark Twain. This well-known book is popular with the children all over the world.

The main character of the book is Tom Sawyer, who lived in a small town on the Mississippi River. He was a boy with a wild imagination. He and his friends often dreamed of different adventures. Tom was naughty, kind and brave.

Besides he was noble. I like this boy because he teaches us to be true friends.

 

To some people reading is relaxation. You belong to such readers who try to improve and increase their vocabulary when working with the book and dictionary. What is the role of your voluntary reading? What are your specific techniques?

Our voluntary reading has a great role. It broadens our outlook, mind, widen our word-view, philosophy, develop our thoughts, imagination, etc. So, the voluntary reading is very useful, but at the same time it is a great pleasure., because different texts bring me a lot of interesting, helpful and amazing information.

Every reader has its own special technique of reading. As for me, I prefer reading the whole text or the printed page from the very beginning up to the end. It helps me to catch the main idea, the general sense.

My active vocabulary helps me to understand the meaning of the words. Just then I translate all unknown for me words, using the dictionary, When all the words are clear I read the text one more time. Now I can get the pleasure of the text properly.

I`d like to conclude by saying, that for me reading means relaxion, when the text I read are not connected with my study at the University, because in such cases I don’t need to pay attention to any linguistic means of expressing the author’s opinion. I just read and feel myself relaxed.