Library & learning resources

The Library is a purpose-built design with a Lower Library at the entrance level, an Upper Library in the second level and an internal staircase leading to a Gallery at the top. All three levels enjoy picturesque views of the Hong Kong Island Mid Levels. The Library is situated in the same block as the School Hall, Drama Studio and Sports Hall with easy access from adjacent teaching blocks. Total seating capacity is 74 in the open area plus 34 in the multi-media room which serves as a classroom, meeting room and student reading and study area.

The Upper Library which houses the Library’s major collections is the centre of research and learning. The Staff Development Collection, Senior Non-fiction Collection, Junior Non-fiction Collection, Reference Collection, Asian and European Language Collection and the Biography Collection together make up the over 25,000 volumes of printed materials which support the school curriculum in all subject areas of teaching, learning, personal as well as professional growth and development.

To enhance digital literacy and information skills to nurture independent learning for students, dedicated computer terminals are available for searching the Library online catalogue and to access online databases subscribed by the Library as well as electronic resources available on the Internet. Laptops are provided for students to log in to the school’s computer network for study and research.

The Gallery holds a reference collection which supports the IB curriculum in particular. It is a popular place used by Sixth Formers for research and self-study.

The Lower Library houses a vast collection of fiction books and magazines and offers a pleasurable quiet study and leisure reading area for students and teachers. It is also used for weekly English library reading lessons for Years 7, 8 & 9.

The Library is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Daily visitor numbers average over a thousand and three hundred. It is a hub for teaching, learning, extra-curricular and various activities of teacher collaboration and partnership!

For more information on the Island School Library, its collection and services please see the Library web pages under specific topics and services.