At the Library
50 daily use English sentences for the school library — finding books, borrowing, returning, reading, and library rules. With Hindi meanings!
📝 50 Sentences
🇮🇳 Hindi Meanings
💬 2 Dialogues
🎮 Quiz
📥 Free PDF
📚 Why Learn Library English?
The school library is a magical place! From Kendriya Vidyalaya libraries to small village school reading rooms, every library helps children discover new worlds through books. But many Indian kids feel shy asking the librarian for help or don’t know how to borrow and return books in English.
These 50 sentences cover everything — from “Where can I find storybooks?” to “May I borrow this book, please?” to “I took very good care of the book.” Learn how to ask for books politely, borrow and return them correctly, follow library rules, and talk about your favourite reads. A child who knows these sentences will love the library even more!
1
👋Entering & Greeting the Librarian (1-10)
1
“Good morning, Ma’am! May I come in?”
सुप्रभात, मैम! क्या मैं अंदर आ सकता/सकती हूँ? (Suprabhat, Ma’am! Kya main andar aa sakta/sakti hoon?)
2
“May I use the library today?”
क्या मैं आज लाइब्रेरी इस्तेमाल कर सकता/सकती हूँ? (Kya main aaj library istemaal kar sakta/sakti hoon?)
3
“Where should I keep my bag?”
मुझे अपना बैग कहाँ रखना चाहिए? (Mujhe apna bag kahan rakhna chahiye?)
4
“Do I need to show my library card?”
क्या मुझे लाइब्रेरी कार्ड दिखाना होगा? (Kya mujhe library card dikhana hoga?)
5
“What time does the library close today?”
आज लाइब्रेरी कितने बजे बंद होती है? (Aaj library kitne baje band hoti hai?)
6
“Is the reading room open right now?”
क्या अभी रीडिंग रूम खुला है? (Kya abhi reading room khula hai?)
7
“Thank you for opening the library early today.”
आज जल्दी लाइब्रेरी खोलने के लिए धन्यवाद। (Aaj jaldi library kholne ke liye dhanyavaad.)
8
“I love coming to the library!”
मुझे लाइब्रेरी आना बहुत अच्छा लगता है! (Mujhe library aana bahut achha lagta hai!)
9
“The library is my favourite place in school.”
लाइब्रेरी स्कूल में मेरी सबसे पसंदीदा जगह है। (Library school mein meri sabse pasandida jagah hai.)
10
“Please speak softly in the library.”
कृपया लाइब्रेरी में धीरे बोलिए। (Kripya library mein dheere boliye.)
2
🔍Finding & Choosing Books (11-20)
11
“Where can I find storybooks?”
कहानियों की किताबें कहाँ मिलेंगी? (Kahaniyon ki kitaabein kahan milengi?)
12
“Do you have any books on animals?”
क्या आपके पास जानवरों पर कोई किताब है? (Kya aapke paas jaanwaron par koi kitaab hai?)
13
“Can you help me find a book on space?”
क्या आप मुझे अंतरिक्ष पर किताब ढूंढने में मदद कर सकते हैं? (Kya aap mujhe antariksh par kitaab dhoondhne mein madad kar sakte hain?)
14
“Which shelf has the English storybooks?”
अंग्रेज़ी कहानी की किताबें किस शेल्फ पर हैं? (Angrezi kahani ki kitaabein kis shelf par hain?)
15
“I am looking for a book by Ruskin Bond.”
मैं रस्किन बॉन्ड की किताब ढूंढ रहा/रही हूँ। (Main Ruskin Bond ki kitaab dhundh raha/rahi hoon.)
16
“Is this book suitable for my age?”
क्या यह किताब मेरी उम्र के लिए ठीक है? (Kya yeh kitaab meri umar ke liye theek hai?)
17
“Can I read the back cover to know what it’s about?”
क्या मैं पीछे का कवर पढ़कर जान सकता/सकती हूँ कि यह किस बारे में है? (Kya main peeche ka cover padhkar jaan sakta/sakti hoon ki yeh kis baare mein hai?)
18
“This book looks very interesting!”
यह किताब बहुत रोचक लग रही है! (Yeh kitaab bahut rochak lag rahi hai!)
19
“Do you have any picture books for young children?”
क्या आपके पास छोटे बच्चों के लिए चित्र वाली किताबें हैं? (Kya aapke paas chhote bachchon ke liye chitra waali kitaabein hain?)
20
“I want to try a new author this time.”
मैं इस बार कोई नया लेखक पढ़ना चाहता/चाहती हूँ। (Main is baar koi naya lekhak padhna chahta/chahti hoon.)
3
📖Borrowing & Returning Books (21-30)
21
“May I borrow this book, please?”
क्या मैं यह किताब ले सकता/सकती हूँ? (Kya main yeh kitaab le sakta/sakti hoon?)
22
“How many books can I borrow at a time?”
एक बार में कितनी किताबें ले सकते हैं? (Ek baar mein kitni kitaabein le sakte hain?)
23
“When do I need to return this book?”
मुझे यह किताब कब वापस करनी होगी? (Mujhe yeh kitaab kab waapas karni hogi?)
24
“I want to return this book. I finished it!”
मैं यह किताब वापस करना चाहता/चाहती हूँ। मैंने पूरी पढ़ ली! (Main yeh kitaab waapas karna chahta/chahti hoon. Maine poori padh li!)
25
“Can I renew this book for one more week?”
क्या मैं यह किताब एक और हफ़्ते के लिए रिन्यू कर सकता/सकती हूँ? (Kya main yeh kitaab ek aur hafte ke liye renew kar sakta/sakti hoon?)
26
“I’m sorry, I forgot to bring the library book today.”
मुझे माफ़ी चाहिए, मैं आज लाइब्रेरी की किताब लाना भूल गया/गई। (Mujhe maafi chahiye, main aaj library ki kitaab laana bhool gaya/gayi.)
27
“Will there be a fine if I return it late?”
अगर मैं देर से वापस करूँ तो क्या जुर्माना लगेगा? (Agar main der se waapas karoon toh kya jurmaana lagega?)
28
“Here is my library card, Ma’am.”
यह रहा मेरा लाइब्रेरी कार्ड, मैम। (Yeh raha mera library card, Ma’am.)
29
“Please stamp my book with the return date.”
कृपया मेरी किताब पर वापसी की तारीख़ की मुहर लगाइए। (Kripya meri kitaab par waapsi ki taarikh ki muhar lagaaiye.)
30
“I took very good care of the book.”
मैंने किताब की बहुत अच्छी देखभाल की। (Maine kitaab ki bahut achhi dekhbhaal ki.)
4
📕Reading & Studying in the Library (31-40)
31
“May I sit here and read?”
क्या मैं यहाँ बैठकर पढ़ सकता/सकती हूँ? (Kya main yahan baithkar padh sakta/sakti hoon?)
32
“Is this seat taken?”
क्या यह सीट खाली है? (Kya yeh seat khaali hai?)
33
“Can I use the dictionary for a moment?”
क्या मैं एक मिनट के लिए शब्दकोश इस्तेमाल कर सकता/सकती हूँ? (Kya main ek minute ke liye shabdkosh istemaal kar sakta/sakti hoon?)
34
“I don’t understand this word. Can you help me?”
मुझे यह शब्द समझ नहीं आया। क्या आप मदद कर सकते हैं? (Mujhe yeh shabd samajh nahi aaya. Kya aap madad kar sakte hain?)
35
“Please don’t make noise. People are studying.”
कृपया शोर मत करो। लोग पढ़ रहे हैं। (Kripya shor mat karo. Log padh rahe hain.)
36
“I need a quiet corner to study.”
मुझे पढ़ने के लिए एक शांत कोना चाहिए। (Mujhe padhne ke liye ek shaant kona chahiye.)
37
“This is a very good book. I’m enjoying it!”
यह बहुत अच्छी किताब है। मुझे मज़ा आ रहा है! (Yeh bahut achhi kitaab hai. Mujhe maza aa raha hai!)
38
“Can I take notes from this reference book?”
क्या मैं इस संदर्भ पुस्तक से नोट्स ले सकता/सकती हूँ? (Kya main is sandarbh pustak se notes le sakta/sakti hoon?)
39
“Where can I find today’s newspaper?”
आज का अख़बार कहाँ मिलेगा? (Aaj ka akhbaar kahan milega?)
40
“I love the smell of new books!”
मुझे नई किताबों की खुशबू बहुत अच्छी लगती है! (Mujhe nayi kitaabon ki khushboo bahut achhi lagti hai!)
5
📋Library Rules & Leaving (41-50)
41
“Please handle the books carefully.”
कृपया किताबों को सावधानी से रखिए। (Kripya kitaabon ko saavdhaani se rakhiye.)
42
“Don’t fold the pages of the book.”
किताब के पन्ने मत मोड़ो। (Kitaab ke panne mat modo.)
43
“Always put books back on the right shelf.”
किताबें हमेशा सही शेल्फ पर वापस रखो। (Kitaabein hamesha sahi shelf par waapas rakho.)
44
“Eating and drinking are not allowed in the library.”
लाइब्रेरी में खाना-पीना मना है। (Library mein khaana-peena mana hai.)
45
“Please push your chair back before leaving.”
जाने से पहले कृपया कुर्सी वापस रखिए। (Jaane se pehle kripya kursi waapas rakhiye.)
46
“I will return this book on time. I promise!”
मैं यह किताब समय पर वापस करूँगा/करूँगी। पक्का! (Main yeh kitaab samay par waapas karunga/karungi. Pakka!)
47
“Thank you, Ma’am! I found a great book today.”
धन्यवाद, मैम! आज मुझे एक बढ़िया किताब मिली। (Dhanyavaad, Ma’am! Aaj mujhe ek badhiya kitaab mili.)
48
“See you next library period, Ma’am!”
अगले लाइब्रेरी पीरियड में मिलते हैं, मैम! (Agle library period mein milte hain, Ma’am!)
49
“Reading makes us smarter every day.”
पढ़ना हमें हर दिन और समझदार बनाता है। (Padhna humein har din aur samajhdar banaata hai.)
50
“Books are our best friends!”
किताबें हमारी सबसे अच्छी दोस्त हैं! (Kitaabein hamari sabse achhi dost hain!)
❌ Common Library English Mistakes
❌ “Give me that book.” (rude/direct)
✅ “May I borrow this book, please?”
“Give me” sounds like an order. “May I borrow” is polite and correct for a library. Always add “please” — it makes a big difference!
❌ “I want to take this book.” (too direct)
✅ “May I borrow this book?” / “Can I check this out?”
In a library, you “borrow” or “check out” books — not “take” them. “Borrow” means you’ll return it. “Take” sounds like you’re keeping it forever!
❌ “Where is books of story?” (wrong grammar)
✅ “Where can I find storybooks?” / “Where are the storybooks?”
“Storybooks” is one compound word. “Books of story” is not natural English. Use: “storybooks,” “science books,” “picture books.”
❌ “This seat is empty?” (statement as question)
✅ “Is this seat taken?” / “Is this seat free?”
“Is this seat taken?” is the natural English way to ask if someone is sitting there. “Empty” describes an object, not whether someone is using a seat.
❌ “I didn’t finished the book.” (double past)
✅ “I didn’t finish the book.” / “I haven’t finished the book yet.”
After “didn’t,” use the base form: “finish” (not “finished”). The “didn’t” already shows past tense. Same rule as “didn’t understand,” “didn’t go.”
🔊 Pronunciation Guide
library
LY-bruh-ree
(लाय-ब्रुह-री)
borrow
BAH-roh
(बॉ-रो)
author
AW-thur
(ऑ-थर)
dictionary
DIK-shuh-neh-ree
(डिक्-शन-री)
reference
REF-rens
(रेफ़-रन्स)
renew
rih-NOO
(रि-नू)
📖 Word of the Day
borrow
verb | BAH-roh | उधार लेना
To take something from someone with the plan to give it back. In the library, you borrow books and return them later. The opposite of borrow is “lend” (to give something temporarily).
1. “May I borrow this book for a week?”
2. “I borrowed a storybook from the library yesterday.”
3. “Can I borrow your pencil? I’ll return it after class.”
💬 Full Dialogue — Aarav Visits the School Library
Aarav is in Class 4 at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Mumbai. It is library period and he wants to find a new book.
Aarav:Good morning, Ma’am! May I come in? (सुप्रभात, मैम! क्या मैं अंदर आ सकता हूँ?)
Librarian:Good morning, Aarav! Yes, come in. Do you have your library card? (सुप्रभात, आरव! हाँ, अंदर आओ। क्या तुम्हारा लाइब्रेरी कार्ड है?)
Aarav:Yes, Ma’am. Here is my library card. I want to return this book. I finished it! (हाँ, मैम। यह रहा मेरा कार्ड। मैं यह किताब वापस करना चाहता हूँ। मैंने पूरी पढ़ ली!)
Librarian:Very good! Did you enjoy it? (बहुत अच्छा! तुम्हें मज़ा आया?)
Aarav:Yes, it was wonderful! Can you help me find a book on space? (हाँ, बहुत अच्छी थी! क्या आप मुझे अंतरिक्ष पर किताब ढूंढने में मदद कर सकती हैं?)
Librarian:Of course! The science section is on the second shelf. Let me show you. (बिल्कुल! साइंस सेक्शन दूसरी शेल्फ पर है। दिखाती हूँ।)
Aarav:This book looks very interesting! May I borrow it, please? (यह किताब बहुत रोचक लग रही है! क्या मैं यह ले सकता हूँ?)
Librarian:Sure! You need to return it in two weeks. I’ll stamp the date. (बिल्कुल! दो हफ़्ते में वापस करना। तारीख़ लगा देती हूँ।)
Aarav:I will return it on time. I promise! Thank you, Ma’am! (मैं समय पर वापस करूँगा। पक्का! धन्यवाद, मैम!)
Librarian:Happy reading, Aarav! Books are our best friends! (पढ़ने का मज़ा लो, आरव! किताबें हमारी सबसे अच्छी दोस्त हैं!)
🎭 Conversation Practice — Role-Play These!
Role-Play 1: Borrowing a Book
You want to borrow a storybook from the library.
You: “Good morning, Ma’am! Where can I find storybooks?”
Librarian: “The storybooks are on the third shelf.”
You: “This book looks interesting! May I borrow it, please?”
Librarian: “Yes! Show me your library card.”
You: “Here is my card. When do I need to return it?”
Librarian: “In one week. Take good care of it!”
Librarian: “The storybooks are on the third shelf.”
You: “This book looks interesting! May I borrow it, please?”
Librarian: “Yes! Show me your library card.”
You: “Here is my card. When do I need to return it?”
Librarian: “In one week. Take good care of it!”
Role-Play 2: Returning a Late Book
You forgot to return your library book on time.
You: “Ma’am, I want to return this book. I’m sorry it’s late.”
Librarian: “It’s three days late. There is a small fine.”
You: “I’m sorry, Ma’am. I will return books on time from now.”
Librarian: “That’s okay! Did you enjoy the book?”
You: “Yes! Can I borrow another one today?”
Librarian: “It’s three days late. There is a small fine.”
You: “I’m sorry, Ma’am. I will return books on time from now.”
Librarian: “That’s okay! Did you enjoy the book?”
You: “Yes! Can I borrow another one today?”
Role-Play 3: Asking for Help
You can’t find a word in your book and need help.
You: “Ma’am, I don’t understand this word. Can you help me?”
Librarian: “Of course! Which word?”
You: “What does ‘magnificent’ mean?”
Librarian: “It means very beautiful or impressive! You can also use the dictionary.”
You: “Can I use the dictionary for a moment? Thank you, Ma’am!”
Librarian: “Of course! Which word?”
You: “What does ‘magnificent’ mean?”
Librarian: “It means very beautiful or impressive! You can also use the dictionary.”
You: “Can I use the dictionary for a moment? Thank you, Ma’am!”
✏️ Practice — Fill in the Blanks
1. “May I ___ this book, please?” (उधार लेना)
2. “Where can I find ___?” (कहानी की किताबें)
3. “Is this seat ___?” (क्या कोई बैठा है?)
4. “Can I ___ this book for one more week?” (रिन्यू करना)
5. “Don’t ___ the pages of the book.” (मोड़ना)
6. “Please ___ softly in the library.” (बोलना)
7. “I am ___ for a book by Ruskin Bond.” (ढूंढना)
8. “Please ___ the books carefully.” (सावधानी से रखना)
🎮 Quiz — Test Your Library English!
Question 1 of 8
The polite way to get a library book is:
Question 2 of 8
“Borrow” means:
Question 3 of 8
Which is correct?
Question 4 of 8
“Is this seat taken?” means:
Question 5 of 8
“Renew” a library book means:
Question 6 of 8
Which is NOT a library rule?
Question 7 of 8
An “author” is:
Question 8 of 8
“I didn’t finish the book” — why not “didn’t finished”?
🧠 Parent Tips — Building a Reading Habit
📚
Visit the Library Together
If possible, take your child to a public library or book fair. Let them choose their own books. When children pick books themselves, they’re much more excited to read. Practice saying “May I borrow this book?” together.
🔤
Teach “Borrow” vs “Take”
Many children say “I want to take this book” instead of “borrow.” Explain: borrow = you’ll return it, take = you’ll keep it. Practice at home: “Can I borrow your phone for a minute?” builds the right habit.
📖
Start a Home Reading Time
Set 15-20 minutes of daily reading time. Let your child read anything — storybooks, comics, newspapers. After reading, ask “What was the book about?” in English. This builds both reading and speaking skills.
🏷️
Use Bookmarks, Not Folded Pages
Teach your child to use a bookmark instead of folding pages (called “dog-earing”). This teaches respect for books AND the English phrase “Don’t fold the pages” — a common library rule they’ll hear.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How to ask for a book in the library?
▼Say “Can you help me find a book on space?” or “Where can I find storybooks?” or “Do you have any books on animals?” Always be polite and say “please” and “thank you.”
How to borrow a book from the library?
▼Say “May I borrow this book, please?” Show your library card and ask “When do I need to return this book?” The librarian will stamp the return date. Take good care of the book!
What are the library rules?
▼Key rules: “Please speak softly,” “Don’t fold the pages,” “Always put books back on the right shelf,” “Eating and drinking are not allowed,” and “Handle the books carefully.”
What does “renew” mean in a library?
▼“Renew” means to extend the borrowing time. If you haven’t finished a book, say “Can I renew this book for one more week?” The librarian will give you extra time to read it.
Can I download these sentences?
▼Yes! Click the “Download PDF” button at the top to get all 50 library sentences with Hindi meanings in a printable A4 format.