Conversation 15

Listen to a conversation between two students at the library.

Joan: Excuse me….

Larry: Yes?

J: Sorry, but could I bother your for just a minute? I think I left a book in this carrel last night. Could you just take a look in the shelf for me?

L: Sure. What’s the title?

J: Uh…“Fundamentals of Bioengineering” or something like that- I forget the exact title. (laughs) That’s why I need it! It’s a sort of green paperback.

L: Huh. Looks like a couple of other folks’ve left their books in here, too. Why don’t they put them back where they got them when they’re through, anyway?

J: Probably just forgot, like me. It’s easy to forget a book in there after you’ve been sitting here going through books for three or four hours at night.

L: Yeah, I guess. I’ve done that, too. (laughs) How about, um, “Engineering Basics”? Is this it? It’s not green, though. It’s kind of, uh, turquoise?

J: Huh! That’s kind of eerie, isn’t it? That’s really pretty close. No, not mine. Nothing else there?

L: Nope. Just a couple of works on Anglo-Saxon grammar. Want those?

J: (laughs) I don’t think so! I probably need one on English grammar, though. My paper on GM is not organized very well.

L: GM? General Motors?

J: (laughs) No. Gene modification. It’s due next Tuesday and I’m barely half-finished. And I need that book to check the pagination- I’m including some quotes out of it.

L: Well, sorry I can’t help- it’s just not here. Did you check the stacks?

J: Yeah, ‘cause I thought at first I’d put it back. But it’s not where it’s supposed to be, at least.

L: Maybe somebody else’s got it then. Somebody from your class maybe?

J: Yeah, maybe. We’ve all got papers due.

L: Did you check at the desk? They can tell you if it’s been checked out.

J: No- it can’t be checked out. Our prof put it on reserve until the end of the term. Too many people might need to use it.

L: And there’s only one copy? That’s pretty rough.

J: Yup, I think so. Or… no- actually, I have no idea. I just presumed there was. I’ll go check the catalogue!

L: Yeah- there might be another one in the Science Reading Room or the Medical Library. You know the author?

J: Uh…. Jamison, or um, Jamiston. Why?

L: Because I can search it for you right now- Google Scholar.

J: Huh?

L: Yeah, haven’t your heard? University Libraries has linked up with Google’s search of library holdings all over the world

J: Wow!

L: Just a sec. Jamison?….And the title’s something about bioengineering, so keyword ‘bioengineering’… and- voila! “Jamison, H.J., Fundamental Concepts of Bioengineering”- is that it?

J: Oh, yes! Great!

L: And…lessee… Tennyson University….yes, here we are: Main Library- and Medical Research Library! They’ve got a copy there, too, it says.

J: That is really great! Thanks so much for your help. I’m sorry I took up so much of your time. I really appreciate this.

L: My pleasure. It’s my major.

J: Huh?

L: Library Science. You just gave me a little practicum

J: (laughs) Well, glad to help, then. I’ve got to go! The Medical Library closes for the weekend Saturday afternoon.

L: Better run, then!

J: Thanks again! ‘Bye.

L: Good luck!