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CIS Secondary Library: CIS HK Home

CIS Secondary Library: Making the Virtual Visible

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Library Information

Library Hours

Monday-Friday

7:30-4:00

Your Secondary Library Staff

Ms. Mak, Ms. Wong, Mr. Anderson, & Ms. Che

The students, faculty, and CIS community at-large have a full range of materials and services within easy grasp. Our space is more than a repository for information. We focus our energy on the unique needs of our learning community, no matter what form that may take. While one can certainly find a fantastic dual-language collection of fiction and nonfiction materials, we support the needs of whomever walks through our doors. Whether you visit us in person or you take advantage of our services via this LibGuide, we are confident you will find what you need at the CIS Secondary Library.

 Join us @cishklibrary

Where in the World?

Free Subscriptions

 The New York Times Digital Subscription

As a CIS student or staff member, you have full access to the options and services provided by the publishers of The New York Times. This includes The New York Times, The International New York Times, and 紐約時報中文網. The entire Times archive is also available in a search function stretching back to 1851. You must be on campus to begin the subscription.

The Financial Times Digital Subscription

This resource is generously provided by the Financial Times free to CIS students aged 16-19 and to all staff. You must be on campus to begin the subscription.

Newsela 

Newsela content comes from the real world, about people and topics students relate to. We start with the world's best sources and carefully select only the content that is most representative, most engaging, and best for Culturally Responsive Teaching. Free access via your school Gmail account.

Resources and Services

Reading Find suggestions, lists, and brief reviews about what might be the next great read!

OverDrive Ebooks and Audiobooks Given the uncertain situation with campus closures, opportunities to visit the library may be limited. OverDrive provides an excellent alternative. Don't see what you want? Request titles on our OverDrive Request form.

Online Research Databases These databases provide rich, balanced, and accurate resources 24/7. Refer to these passwords when accessing databases from outside of campus.

MLA Formatting and Guidance Quick access to MLA-related questions. 
New York Times Digital Subscription (you must be on campus to initiate your subscription)
Financial Times Digital Subscription (you must be on campus to initiate your subscription)

Library Grab & Go Program  In the event that campus closes, we will strive to get books into readers' hands. The Grab & Go Program does that. Learn more from our Secondary Library Updates should that become necessary.

Consultation and Contact

You can email questions from the convenience of your home! Our team staffs this service during normal business hours; we will do our best to reply within 24 hours.
Mr. Sam Anderson focuses on English language materials and literacy, information literacy, research support, and overall resource guidance.
Ms. Phoebe Wong focuses on Chinese language materials and literacy and overall resource guidance.
Ms. Alice Mak and Ms. Wing Che support materials circulation, cataloging, and overdue, lost, or missing materials.

Policies and Privileges

It is your responsibility to bring your school ID card each day.

 

Students, you must use your school ID cards for access to all services provided in the Library. All items to check out include print materials and equipment such as E-readers; you must have your ID to do so.  You can also use your student ID card for photocopying and printing. 

 

Beyond that simple statement, it gets even easier:

  • Respect your Library space   
  • Respect other students in your Library   
  • Respect everything and everyone in your Library

Secondary Checkout Limits

We encourage--and expect--secondary students to choose and manage their reading. This policy is firm.

Year 7-9 Students
  • Up to 6 items per student
  • Up to 2 OverDrive titles per student
Year 10-13 Students
  • Up to 10 items per student
  • Up to 2 OverDrive titles per student
Primary Students (Y4-Y6)
  • 2 print items per student
  • Must be arranged through Primary Librarians

Dear parents, 

We invite you to enjoy the Secondary Library, so please do visit us. To browse, ask questions, seek guidance to support your child's reading, or simply to learn about our space is something we hope you do.

The ideal time to visit the Secondary Library is after school hours between 3:00-4:30. We reserve the school hours (7:30-3:00) for student and teacher use. The library is a classroom, so your understanding is appreciated.

Because this is a teaching and learning space, we ask that you follow the same, simple expectations we have for the students. When visiting the library, please model and support these standards. It is helpful for students to see.

  • Please wear your Parent ID badge prominently; we need to know who you are.
  • Please engage in a book, magazine, newspaper, or browse our collection.
    • You are also invited to chat with the librarians seeking insight or support for your children.
  • Please take care of all phone communication needs (calls and texts) before entering.
    • Turn off and tuck away your devices.
  • Please enjoy your coffee and snacks in the Cafeteria or at the Rooftop Café, not in the Library.
  • Parents who are with their Primary students are asked to use the Primary Library.
  • If you are simply waiting for your child to finish classes or CCAs or need a place to socialize, we ask that you do so at the Rooftop Café or in the Cafeteria. 
Parental Checkouts
  • 1 Chinese print item per parent
  • 1 English print item per parent
  • Parents may not check out items in their child's name
    • We expect the students to learn how to manage and maintain their reading as they grow older.

Material Type

Loan Period

Overdue Prices

Replacement Costs**
Books (print & digital) 14 days

N/A*

$200 (fiction)

$400 (non-fiction)
Magazines and Journals 14 days N/A* $100
Audio-Visual (Audiobooks, DVDs, etc.) 14 days N/A* $200
Kindles 14 days N/A* $1,200**

*Rather than charging fees for most overdue materials, we ask that you return or renew items. You will not be allowed to check out any additional items if you owe a fine or have anything overdue. The rule of thumb: if you expect to check something out, take care of your obligations.

**If a missing or damaged item is part of a set and we are not able to replace the missing portion, then you need to pay for the replacement of the entire set, which means the cost may be significantly higher. This applies to both books and AV materials.