Act I

Librarian 1: Hi, how can I help you?

History Buff: I'm looking for books about World War II. Do you have anything?

Librarian 1: Yes, we have a lot of books about World War II. Is there a particular aspect of the war that interests you?

History Buff: My father fought in the Pacific, so I'm interested in that. I like reading about the soldiers' experiences, too.

Librarian 1: Ok, let's take a look. Here's one you might like. It's a new book, so it will be up front in the new arrivals area. The title is Tales From a Tin Can: The USS Dale from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay. It's an oral history, so you'll get the soldiers' experiences.

History Buff: Yeah, that's right up my alley. Thanks.

Librarian 1: You're welcome.

Mom: Can I place these here for a minute?

Librarian 2: Sure. That's quite a pile of books you have.

Six-Year-Old Child: Those are mine.

Librarian 2: Wow. They'll keep you busy for a while.

Mom: That's the plan. Do you have the book Nineteen Minutes?

Librarian 2: We own Nineteen Minutes, but it's very popular, so it's probably checked out right now. Wow--we have a whopping 54 requests on that one!

Mother: 54!

Librarian 2: Yes, but we have multiple copies, and it looks like someone just returned a Hot Copy. If you think you can read it in a week, I can grab it for you. Just keep in mind that you won't be able to renew it. Also, the overdue fine is $.50 per day.

Mom: I'm a fast reader, so that will work. I also want to pick up some summer reading books for my oldest.

Librarian 2: Summer reading for grades 5-8 and 9-12 are on the wall in front of the teen room. You'll see it once you turn around. The list is hanging on the wall, and the books are on the shelves. You can take a look at that while I get the Hot Copy from the shelf by the front entrance. I'll meet you by the summer reading.

Mom: Thanks. You know, if I had to buy all of the books that I check out of this library, I would be broke.

Librarian 1: Hi.

Voracious Reader: Hi. I have been looking all over for a book, and I can't find it. It's on the older side. I didn't see it in your online catalog. Can you help me?

Librarian 1: I hope so. Maybe we can get it through interlibrary loan.

Voracious Reader: How does that work?

Librarian 1: I'll check the state catalog. If another library in New Hampshire has it, we can borrow the book for you. It usually takes about a week or so to get it.

Voracious Reader: How much does that cost?

Librarian 1: It's free if we borrow the book from a library in-state. If the book is not available in a New Hampshire library, we can check out-of-state. In that case, you would pay a postage charge and possibly a lending fee. The postage charge is determined by the size of the book; it's usually between $2.00 and $3.50.

Voracious Reader: So, even if you don't have a book here, you can find a library that does have it and get it for me?

Librarian 1: If a library has a circulating copy, and the book is more than six months old, we can request it.

Voracious Reader: That's great!

Librarian 1: It's been a busy morning.

Librarian 2: Yes, it has been. Someone requested a book while you were finishing up that interlibrary loan. I'll send an e-mail to you with the information so you can decide if you want to purchase it. People still want library books.

Librarian 1: They certainly do.

End of Act I

Stay tuned for Act II, which will be presented next Monday.