#35 Buying a SIM Card｜French Travel Phrases
Izumi French Garden
#138 Asking About Book Returns at a Library｜French Everyday Life Phrases
Izumi
When using a library abroad, it is important not only to borrow books but also to confirm where and how they should be returned.
Rules regarding the return counter, due dates, and whether after-hours returns are allowed vary from library to library, so checking these details in advance can help you avoid any problems.
In this article, I explain useful French expressions for asking about return procedures at a library.
Contents
Dialogue
Excusez-moi. Pourriez-vous m’expliquer comment rendre les livres, s’il vous plaît ?
（Excuse me. Could you please explain how to return the books?）
Vous pouvez les rendre à l’accueil, juste à côté de l’entrée.
（You can return them at the front desk, just next to the entrance.）
D’accord. Est-ce que je dois les rendre avant une heure précise ?
（All right. Do I need to return them by a specific time?）
Avant la fermeture de la bibliothèque, à 18 heures.
（By the time the library closes, at 6 p.m.）
Et si je ne peux pas venir avant, existe-t-il une boîte de retour ?
（And if I cannot come before then, is there a return box?）
Oui, il y a une boîte extérieure accessible 24 heures sur 24.
（Yes, there is an outdoor return box that is accessible 24 hours a day.）
Merci beaucoup pour ces informations.
（Thank you very much for the information.）
1. Asking About the Return Procedure
When speaking to a librarian, it is important to clearly state that you would like to know how to return books.
Example
- Pourriez-vous m’expliquer comment rendre les livres ?
（Could you please explain how to return the books?）
“Pourriez-vous … ?” is a polite request meaning “Could you please … ?”.
“m’expliquer” means “to explain to me”, and “rendre les livres” means “to return the books”.
Compared to simply asking “Où rendre les livres ?” (Where do I return the books?), this expression conveys that you would like a full explanation of the procedure, making it especially suitable when visiting a library for the first time.
2. Confirming the Return Location
After asking about the procedure, you may want to confirm where the books should be returned.
Example
- Vous pouvez les rendre à l’accueil.
（You can return them at the front desk.）
“l’accueil” refers to the reception or service counter and is commonly used in places such as libraries, city halls, and hospitals. If the location is not obvious, staff will often give additional directions.
Related Expressions
- Où puis-je rendre les livres ?
（Where can I return the books?） - Est-ce près de l’entrée ?
（Is it near the entrance?）
3. Confirming the Due Time
It is very important to follow the return deadline, so be sure to ask about the time as well.
Example
- Est-ce que je dois les rendre avant une heure précise ?
（Do I need to return them by a specific time?）
This expression is useful when you want to confirm the exact return deadline.
Related Expressions
- avant la fermeture
（before closing） - à 18 heures
（at 6 p.m.） - la bibliothèque ferme à …
（the library closes at …）
4. Asking About After-Hours Returns
If you may not be able to return the books before closing time, it is a good idea to check whether an after-hours return option is available.
Example
- Existe-t-il une boîte de retour ?
（Is there a return box?）
“Existe-t-il … ?” is a formal expression meaning “Does … exist?” and is well suited for questions in public facilities.
Related Expression
- Puis-je rendre les livres en dehors des heures d’ouverture ?
（Can I return the books outside opening hours?）
Summary
Key French Phrases
- Pourriez-vous m’expliquer comment rendre les livres ?
→ Used to ask for an overall explanation of the return procedure. - Où puis-je rendre les livres ? / à l’accueil
→ Useful for confirming and understanding the return location. - Est-ce que je dois les rendre avant une heure précise ?
→ Used to check the return deadline or time. - Existe-t-il une boîte de retour ?
→ Used to ask whether after-hours returns are possible.
