Libraries
Empowering students to be enthusiastic readers and lifelong learners
Our two libraries provide students with access to high-quality, reliable information to support their classroom learning and research. This includes age-appropriate encyclopedias, magazines, journals, news articles, videos and images. Our certified teacher-librarian guides the school-wide research process and collaborates with teachers to introduce and support the development of research skills. Students learn how to access, evaluate and use information critically, efficiently and ethically.
Our libraries hold a carefully curated collection of books that are high quality, high interest, diverse, inclusive and complementary to the school curriculum. Books reflect the multilingual learning environment at CIS. The collection includes titles in English, French, Mandarin, Khmer and a growing collection in the Mother Tongue languages of students. A ratio of 32 books per student is maintained in the general library collection. This number reflects exemplary standards by the Canadian Association for School Libraries (Achieving Information Literacy, p.28).
To foster a reading community and develop life-long readers, the Libraries Team facilitates a variety of celebrations and projects to promote literacy. These include Book Week, World Read Aloud Day, The Tournament of Books, and The CIS Reading Challenges Program.
Students borrow library books during weekly library visits. The Libraries Team supports students in locating and enjoying titles in our collection. CIS families may search the catalogue an visit the libraries after school to borrow additional titles.
Our Elementary School Library has a child-sized shelving and a comfortable read-aloud area. Our Middle School and High School library has flexible teaching and learning spaces, break-out meeting rooms, multimedia studio, workshop space, sofas, study pods, and laptop benches.