Developing critical thinkers, independent and lifelong learners of the 21st century

As an IB World School, KIST views the library as a focal point of the school - a center for student inquiry and research. We aim to provide a welcoming and supportive environment that encourages students to engage with the wider world and develop skills that will equip them for life. Our professional library staff, facilities and resource selection (both physical and electronic) aim to enhance student learning and inquiry, and provide resources to support the teaching of the IB curriculum. 

The school has two library facilities catering to each area of the school: Elementary and Secondary. In 2011, both of these spaces and their resources were upgraded. In particular, the school invested in a major renovation and extension of the former Secondary Library, resulting in its re-branding as the LMC (Library Media Center). The collections in both libraries are continually being developed to support the curriculum and recreational needs of students and staff.  KIST libraries currently hold approximately 25,000 items catalogued and accessible online using the Destiny library software system. Most titles are in English, however, the libraries also support a commitment to mother tongue languages with the provision of many Japanese titles and a growing collection in other languages spoken by our students and staff. Both libraries are available for use by all members of the school community for research and recreation, including parents. 

Library Media Center (LMC)

Located on the second floor of the Main Building, the LMC is available for students in the Secondary School studying within the Middle Years Programme (MYP) from Grades 6 through 10 and those in the Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 and 12. The LMC includes a spacious casual reading area, an independent study area and two quiet rooms for DP students. The collection includes non-fiction books, a selection of reference titles, journals/magazines, and an up-to-date, quality fiction selection to stimulate a love of reading. Teachers have access to professional research and support materials and audiovisual resources to use in the classroom. Laptop computers are available for students to search the resources held in the library, subscribed online resources and the Internet. A projector and screen are available for class instruction.

All Secondary students are free to visit the LMC during recess, lunchtime and after school. Classes held in the library focus on the development of critical skills. The teacher-librarian works closely with faculty staff to design and implement an information literacy program which teaches students the skills they need for in-depth, critical research and independent study. The librarian manages the LMC and its resources, and supports students in their studies.

Books!

Study area

Elementary Library 

The Elementary Library, which can be found on the third floor of the West Building, caters to all of our PYP (Primary Years Programme) students from K1 through Grade 5. The collection includes materials to support the PYP, with many non-fiction and reference titles, and an excellent collection of picture books and chapter books from multiple perspectives to encourage literacy and inquiry learning. Teachers can access big books, posters and charts, audiovisual material and professional research books relating to the PYP. Desktop computers are available for students to search the library catalogue and access online resources. The Elementary School Librarian plans activities with teachers and encourages good reading habits in our younger students.

All Elementary students from K1 through Grade 5 visit the Elementary Library once a week with their class. Students in Grades 1 to 5 are also encouraged to visit the library during the week using the library pass system to change their books as many times as they need. For K1 to K3 students,  the library program is designed to encourage a love of reading and includes read aloud activities and other tasks based around their current unit of inquiry. For students in Grades 1 to 5, in addition to reading activities, students also learn how a library is organized and develop information literacy skills that enable them to access information for their research using books and on line. 

Opening hours

 * K1 to Grade 5 students who wish to visit the Elementary Library after school must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Borrowing

All items available for ordinary borrowing are checked out for two weeks, and students may renew an item if it has not been reserved by another student. 

We expect that all students and their families will treat our resources with the utmost care. We understand, however, that accidents do happen. If an item is damaged, please don't try to fix it yourself. Please report any damages or loss to library staff by e-mail as soon as possible. In the event that a library resource is lost or badly damaged, the borrower will be required to pay for the replacement/repair of the book.

Please click here for the KIST online catalog.

Donations

We appreciate donations of good quality, clean and undamaged items to the libraries; however, families or other persons wishing to donate items are asked to please contact the library staff by e-mail first to discuss the nature of the donation, and if possible, to provide a list of the titles available. This helps us identify the usefuless of the items for our collection and whether they will match the school's curriculum requirements.

Special programs

In addition to regular library services, the library staff also organizes a number of special reading programs and other events during the school year as outlined below.

Book Club

In this program, families with children up to Grade 7 are able to purchase storybooks and other reading materials from overseas publishing companies. Book Club operates several times during the year.

Sakura Medal

This program runs from November to May and is held in conjunction with other international schools in Japan. It involves students reading a selection of books and voting on their favorite one.