Reading

British people read a lot. They read books, newspapers and magazines. And of course they read text messages on their mobile phones. sitxty-five per cent of British people list reading for pleasure as a major hobby.

In this library you can borrow books but you can also buy a cup of coffee, look at an art exhibition, sit in a quiet study area of connect to the Internet.

You can also now borrow CDs, videos and DVDs of films and television programmes. Some libraties even let you borrow computer games.

There are often reference rooms where you can go to look something up or go to study. Many libraries have also got special rooms with books and photographs about the history of the area. Libraries are very important is schools and universities borth for study and for readin for pleasure.

The British Library is one of the world's greatest libraries. the Queen opened its new building in 1998. It receives a copy of every book publised in Britain and adds 3 million newitems every year. it's got books of course, but also sound recordings, music, maps, newspapers and magazines.

People redicted that radio, then television, then the Internet woukd kill reading, but it is still a very popular activity.