Library Overview

Welcome to the UIS Library

Library Staff:
Judith March:  Head Librarian
Ah Chen:  Assistant:  Mending, Labeling, Copying etc.

Library Mission Statement
The mission of the Utahloy International School Library is:

• To develop information literate students
• To encourage active, compassionate, lifelong learners
• To teach teachers and students to effectively access, evaluate, use and communicate information.
• To help provide students with a positive learning environment
• To encourage the love of reading.

Library Hours:
The Library is open from 8:00A. M. to 4:30 P. M. Monday to Thursday and 8:00A. M. to 4:00 P. M. Fridays.

Library Essential Agreements:
The Library exists to meet the needs of the UISGZ community. The essential agreements in effect are discussed with the students at the start of each school year. These are necessary for the well being of all library patrons, and the protection and preservation of the library materials.
    * All library users agree to consider the needs of other library patrons at all times.
    * All library users agree to use appropriate behaviour and voice level in the library.
    * All library users agree that all areas of the library are food and drink free zones except for the meeting room and the back of the library. Bottled water may be brought in and used in the main library.  The understanding is that bottles are not placed near the computers.
    * All library users agree to treat all library materials with care and return books on time so that others are able to share these materials.
    * All library users agree to use the computers in accordance with the UISGZ computer policies.
    * All library users agree not to disturb other library patrons with the use of cell phones or mp players.

The Utahloy International School Library has some 14,000 Titles in its database and uses the Follett Software System (Destiny).  Students may come to the library at lunch and during their break for research and study. Students may search the OPAC from school or search for books from home using the online catalogue.  Databases have been purchased so that students may research from school or at home.  The school currently subscribes to Newsbank, Nettrekker, World Book, Grolier online, Facts on File and Noodletools.  From time to time the library will trial new databases and get feedback from students, teachers and parents. 
The library is not a place for social interaction and play.  Students should be aware of the essential agreements (library rules) that mirror the philosophy of the PYP, MYP and IB programmes. 

There are sixteen computers for student use.  These are connected to the copy machines outside the library.  Students use their personal ID’s to access printing from the Internet or from their USB’s.  Classes that are signed in on the booking sheets at the circulation desk are given first priority.  Primary students wishing to use the computers for research during the secondary break are given priority over secondary students during this time. Students are asked to leave their bags in the cubbyhole at the entrance of the library or the hangers on the wall.  Valuables should be carried with the student and NOT left in the bag.

Library Circulation:

Textbook Circulation
Students are allowed to keep their textbooks for the school year with the exception of novels or plays that are signed out for shorter periods of time.  Textbooks are issued according to criteria such as NEW, EXCELLENT, VERY GOOD, GOOD, FAIR and POOR.  Book criteria used can be provided upon request.  If a student returns a book beyond the normal wear and tear he/she will be charged a percentage of the cost of the textbook upon return.  Textbooks should all be returned at the end of the year and if they are needed over the summer holiday they must be signed out again and brought back before the new school year.
Students are allowed to borrow books during their library time and free time in the library.  If books are overdue, students will not be allowed to borrow books.  If books are lost or damaged by students it will result in suspension of borrowing until the student pays for the book or a replacement is provided. Students may sign out books in their name only and must not sign out in another student’s name. Writing in books is strictly forbidden. There is a return box for returning books.  Students are allowed to borrow books as follows:

Kindergarten:  One book per week
Grade one:  Two books per week. 
Grade two: Two books per week.
Grade three:  Three books per week
Grades 4-6:  Four books per week.
Secondary students 7-12: 6 books for three weeks excluding textbooks.

The Patrons
The Utahloy International School Library serves some 800 students and 90 faculty and staff.  Primary classes come in weekly for book exchange and library information literacy skills.  Secondary classes schedule lessons on information literacy as needed and in collaboration with the teacher.

The Collection
The library has new subscriptions to 3 newspapers, 30 magazines and should be seeing these within the next few weeks (October 2009).  The library has a collection of DVDs and CDs for teacher use only.  Utahloy’s library has a large number of mother tongue books (French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Hindi). The collections are all housed under one number (according to language) and will be changed in order to reflect the subject matter according to the Dewey Decimal System.  Textbooks that are part of the collection are housed in another building and will be managed by a new Textbook Management System.