去图书馆借书

Every time I go to the library, I tell myself I'll borrow only two books. But when I left yesterday, there were six books in my bag. They were heavy, but I was still very happy.

Yesterday afternoon, the dessert shop wasn't very busy. I left the shop with my coworker and got ready to visit the library near my home. I also had two books to return at home, so I checked their due date first. Luckily, they weren't late.

I put the two books in my canvas bag and brought my library card and a small bottle of water. You can't speak loudly in the library, so I also put my phone on silent. Once I was ready, I took the bus to the library.

The library is a large white building with many trees in front of it. After I went inside, I returned my books on the first floor. There was a machine there. I put the books inside, and the machine checked the numbers on them. Then it told me that the books had been returned.

I wanted to look for new books right away, but I didn't know which floor had books about baking. I looked at the guide on the wall, but I still wasn't sure. So I went to the information desk and asked, Hello, where are the books about cooking and baking?

The librarian said, They're on the third floor. Go upstairs and turn right. You'll see them there. I also asked, How many books can I borrow? She said, You can borrow up to ten books for one month. If you haven't finished reading them, you can renew them for another month on your phone.

When I reached the third floor, I saw row after row of bookshelves. It was really quiet there. I could only hear soft footsteps. I looked around slowly and first found a book that teaches you how to make bread. It had lots of photos, and everything looked very clear.

I also found a book about Hangzhou snacks. I had eaten many of those snacks, but I didn't know what they were like in the past. Later, I also picked up a book about running a small shop. My dessert shop has been open for several years, but I still want to learn new ways of doing things.

After picking three books, I told myself, That's enough. But when I walked to the next section, I saw the travel books. I picked up a book about small cities in China and two thin storybooks as well. And just like that, my two books became six.

I didn't go home right away. I found a seat by the window and read for a while. There were trees outside, and someone rode past on a bike. Sunlight fell across the table, and everything was quiet. When I read in a place like this, I feel as if time moves very slowly.

At five in the afternoon, I got ready to borrow the books and go home. I placed my library card on the machine and then set down the books one by one. The machine told me that I needed to return them by the twenty-ninth of next month. I was afraid I'd forget, so I saved the date on my phone.

Before leaving, I asked the librarian one more question: Can I return these books at another library? She said, Yes. You can return them at many libraries in Hangzhou. That was very convenient for me, because there is also a small library near my dessert shop.

When I walked out of the library, it was still bright outside. The six books made my bag very heavy, so I had to hold it with both hands. On the bus ride home, I kept thinking about which book to read first. In the end, I decided to start with the book about bread. Maybe next month, there will be a new kind of bread in my dessert shop.

If you visit a library in China, you can ask: Excuse me, where can I find this kind of book? When borrowing a book, you can also ask, How long can I borrow it? Or, When do I need to return it? The library is quiet, but you don't need to be afraid to speak. Ask softly, and the staff will help you. I hope you can also find a book you love and take a new story home with you.