A library is a place to find out about almost anything. In it there are mostly books. There are also pictures, papers, magazines, maps, tapes, and records. Special science and art shows, story hours, movies, plays, and contests may also be held there.
Long long ago, a library had only books, and these were hard to get. Books could be written only by hand. There were so few that no one was allowed to take them out of the library. After the printing press was invented, books could be made faster. This helped libraries get more books.
To borrow a book to take home today, a person just needs a library card. In many libraries a helper checks the book out. He or she stamps the card. The mark shows the date by which the book must be returned. If the book is returned late, the person must usually pay money, called a fine. In some libraries a computer has taken the place of stamping.
Books in a library are put into a certain order to help people find what they want. All books about animals may be placed together. Or all stories written by the same person may be placed together. A big set of cards lists all the library"s books in alphabetical order. It is called the card catalog. It tells where each of them can be found.
People who live far in the country may find it hard to get to a library. For these people there are bookmobiles, which are large trucks filled with books. Each truck travels to many places. All the people have to do meet the truck and choose the books they would like to read.