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Welcome to the AISL Library & Discovery Center! The library is the center of learning and community connection and is a hub for inquiry, collaboration, creation, and literacy. We also offer a range of events, including author visits, Community Open House, and informational sessions.
Our two teacher-librarians collaborate with teachers to build on units of inquiry at the PYP level and units of study at the MYP and DP levels. The lessons are integrated into the curriculum in order to allow for “just in time” learning and the application of literacy, research and digital literacy skills.
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Opening timesMonday-Thursday: 7:00-16:00
Friday: 7:00-14:00 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month: 9:00-12:00* *Please note that if the 1st or 3rd Saturday falls on a public holiday then we remain closed as we do for all Zambian holidays |
In focus...
Resources
Visiting Authors
Special Events
Coffee Houses
Enjoying Zambia
Policies
Resources
Physical Space
Collections
Databases
LibGuides
Physical Space
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Our library, housed in one facility, serves the entire school. It is staffed by two teacher-librarians, one serving the primary school and one serving the secondary school. Our library assistant is in charge of the circulation desk and helps with the day-to-day operations.
We have wifi throughout the library, 3 projectors (3 with airplay), and a large charging locker for all devices. Additionally, we have several collaborative spaces, games, a conference room, and a small recording studio with a green screen for our patrons. |
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Collections
Databases
Our library offers a wide range of 12+ databases & subscription services that support research and inquiry across all grade levels. We have research-oriented databases appropriate for everyone from pre-readers to the college-bound, and we also have language acquisition tools, educational games, a New York Times all-digital subscription package, audio books, picture books, eBooks, and more.
LibGuides
We use the LibGuide platform to curate resources to support students and teachers with academic units. The resources on these guides have been hand-picked for their quality and appropriateness by our librarians in collaboration with teachers. Our school currently has more than one hundred easily-searchable LibGuides and a Virtual Library for both the primary school and the secondary school (password available upon request).
Visiting Authors
Our library has hosted world-renowned visiting authors annually until the Covid pandemic changed this format. Our librarians currently bring in guest speakers and known authors (in person or via Google Meet) to further support teachers’ units of inquiry on the primary level and MYP / DP units on the secondary level.
Special Events
Week of Coding
Banned Book Week
Poetry Week
Comic Con
Week of Coding
The AISL Library & Discovery Center together with the AISL IT Department host several Week of Coding events during the year. Teachers can sign up to bring their students during class times and students are allowed to come on a drop-in basis after school.
Check out this short video (also below) about the importance of coding.
Check out this short video (also below) about the importance of coding.
Banned Book Week
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Banned Book Week was begun in 1982 as the United States' book community's annual celebration of the freedom to read. At AISL, we subscribe to the spirit of the American Library Association's School Library Bill of Rights & its Freedom to Read statement.
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Kerr, Bill. “Censorship.” Flickr, Oath, 28 July 2006, www.flickr.com/photos/billkerr/200721567.
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Additionally, we strive to uphold the following Principles of Intellectual Freedom:
- Parents have a right to determine what their own child may read or not read. They do not have a right to determine what other people’s children may read or not read.
- Library / media specialists should protect the rights of all students to read a wide variety of books across various genres, resist self-censorship (selecting or omitting materials based on one's personal preferences or projected concerns about others’ reactions to a given work), and support teachers who face challenges.
- Students should be trusted to choose books they want to read and taught that they are responsible for their own selections. When necessary, they should answer to their parents regarding those choices. (Note: given that our primary and secondary collections are housed in the same building, we DO steer students toward the appropriate zone for their particular grade level.)
Come on in and browse our display of some of the top challenged books from the past few years. You might be surprised by some of the titles you'll find on there!
Poetry Week
AISL students from the ELC through upper secondary participate in an array of poetry-themed activities and events. Students create original poems at a variety of stations spread across the library which includes a community-wide sharing of "poem in your pocket" with one another.
Comic Con
In February, a celebration of books, specifically graphic novels, is held in the library. Students and staff are encouraged to dress up as their favourite superhero or book character. An array of activities including green screen photos, making comic books, and creating superhero names in addition to showcasing new books are a part of this exciting day.
Coffee Houses
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The AISL Coffee Houses provide students with a relaxed, supportive platform for sharing creative forms of expression. Students share poetry, music, dance, stand-up comedy, drama skits, and more during the evenings.
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Enjoying Zambia
Getting out into the bush is a favorite past-time for many of our families. To help you make the most of your time in that incredible environment, we also have:
- A wide range of field guides
- Up-to-date travel guides for Zambia and the region
- Libguides for special attractions, like Shiwa House & the Kasanka bat migration
- One knowledgeable Zambian library assistant eager to share local tips
If you're heading out for some weekend adventure, keep in mind that the AISL Library & Discovery Center has some great tools to help you make the most of your time! Feel welcome to check out any of the following items:
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A trail camera with SD card: Ever wake up in the morning and see the tracks of animals that passed through in the night while you were asleep? Now you can capture images and video using our motion-activated trail camera.
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Go Pro: We have a Go Pro with a kit of attachments available for check-out. Next time you head out on the mountain bike or land a tiger fish on the Zambezi, capture the action (and maybe share it with us!) by using our Go Pro cam.
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UV Light: Did you know that scorpions glow a vibrant green-blue under UV light? A fun thing to do when you're out at night is simply to shine a UV light around until you spot a scorpion. Of course, take care not to get too close! But it is fascinating to observe.
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Policies
AISL Library Circulation Policy
Resource loan period: 2 weeks
Checkouts:
Overdues:
In cases of non-payment for lost items, the school may withhold records until the matter is resolved.
Families departing AISL will need to have all library materials returned or paid for in order for records to be cleared.
Checkouts:
- Primary School Students: 5 items per student
- Secondary School Students: 5 items per student
- Parents: 10 items per parent
Overdues:
- Our library software generates a weekly overdue notice that is sent automatically to the individual student (secondary school) and parents.
- There are no late fees but if an item can't be found within a few months, a bill will be issued for these items, and 30% of the cost of the items is added to cover international shipping and processing costs.
- Students with a flagrantly overdue item will not be able to resume check-outs until the item(s) are returned. Our staff is happy to set aside resources the student would like in a specially designated place for 24 hours to allow the student time to bring in overdue materials.
In cases of non-payment for lost items, the school may withhold records until the matter is resolved.
Families departing AISL will need to have all library materials returned or paid for in order for records to be cleared.
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Essential Information Literacy Skills at AISLThe AISL Library & Discovery Department follows the 21st Century Literacy Standards as set forth by the American Association of School Libraries.
These four standards are below. We believe that learners use skills, resources, and tools to
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