Library

Welcome to the AISL Library. 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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AISL Library Collection

12+

Online subscription sources

10,000+

Fiction books from Early Years to Adult

100+

LibGuides for students and parents

200+

Parenting books

18

Languages in our World

Language collection

15,000+

Non-fiction books

15

Magazine subscriptions

Opening times

Monday-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

Physical Space

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.

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).

Access AISL's Virtual Library through the parent, student and staff portals.

AISL Virtual Libraries

**AISL Virtual Libraries are password protected**

Visiting Authors

Special Events

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.

Libguide

Banned Book Week

Libguide

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

Coffee Houses

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

Policies

AISL Library Circulation Policy

Resource loan period: 2 weeks

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.

Essential Information Literacy Skills at AISL

The 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

Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge
Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge
Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society
Pursue personal and aesthetic growth

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