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CIS Secondary Library: CIS HK Home

CIS Secondary Library: Making the Virtual Visible

Library Information

Library Hours

Monday-Friday

7:30-4:30

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?

Welcome back from your Winter Break. While we are not all on campus, we hope to see you all again soon. That said, let's step into 2021 with gusto!
Over the past few years, we have developed a simple reading tradition, so it is, once again, time to kickstart your reading by joining the 2021 Book Bingo Reading Challenge. This is a simple and personalized way to challenge yourself to read a variety of books. If you are an enthusiastic reader, you might choose to read titles to check off each square. If you are a more selective reader, you might choose to read four titles from one of the rows (vertically, horizontally, or diagonally). 
There is no pressure to participate, but for each "Bingo" (one row of books), we offer prizes that you can claim when we return to campus. Please click on the link above or on the image to the left to download your bingo card. Please print it out and get reading. As you read each book, keep track of your achievements on the backside of the card. This challenge is based on books you read starting from January 5, 2021.

Resources and Services

Library Grab & Go Program  When the campus is closed, we still strive to get books into readers' hands. The Grab & Go Program does that. Learn more from our Secondary Library Updates.
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)

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.