Here at San Silvestre we have a real passion for reading and it is our dream that every student will graduate from our school having developed a lifelong love of reading!

We have three wonderful libraries and six full time library staff. Our libraries are home to thousands of books and an ever increasing array of technology! Every language classroom in Early Years and Primary is a literacy-rich environment with an extensive classroom library. We celebrate, promote and encourage reading in every conceivable way and we host an annual Book Fair where thousands of books are available for purchase! One of our frequent and favourite conversations with our students is, "Why read?"

And of course, reading is a JOY!

There is an old saying, "The pen is mightier than the sword." The written word has changed the destiny of men and nations - it is that powerful!

Read, Learn, Investigate, Explore, Create & Discover!

Our school libraries are student-centred facilities designed to play a key role in the intellectual, educational, and cultural life of the school

The Early Years Library is at the heart of the Early Years Section. It is a place where the Early Years girls can experience the joy of reading for pleasure. Each class visits the library once a week and is enchanted by animated storytelling sessions and exploring our rich array of books. 

The library is staffed by two teacher-librarians who extend the breadth and depth of the topics explored in class. They also tell stories for fun and pleasure - using technology, puppets and costumes to enhance the experience. Book illustrations become magical and life-sized when projected.

Pre-School girls can visit the library from 7.50 am to 8.20 am, to enjoy reading for pleasure with the person who brings them to school. Reception and Grade One girls are invited to take library books home every week. 

The Early Years library is a place where magic happens every day!

Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays 7.50 am to 3.30 pm.

The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) is a creative and innovative space in the heart of the Primary Section. It houses a rich range of resources to support and promote learning: books in English and Spanish; technology - including Chromebooks and iPads. 

The LRC is also a “makerspace”, this is a collaborative workspace for making, learning, exploring and sharing that uses “high tech” to “no-tech” tools. We know that students learn at a deeper level and retain more when they’re engaged in creative thinking.

All students in the Primary Section have one lesson each week in the LRC; this lesson supports and extends their English learning. Reading, researching, collaboration and presentation skills are the essential focus.

The LRC is staffed by a Librarian, a teacher-librarian and a Digital Learning Assistant and together they ensure that it is a dynamic place where the interests and needs of all girls are met. The LRC is a catalyst for the development of lifelong readers and lifelong learners.

The LRC is open before school, at break times and after school hours. At these times students can play board games, use some of the makerspace materials, read or engage with technology. 

The LRC is not a quiet space, it is a 21st Century Learning Zone.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7:15 am - 5:00 pm

The Secondary Library is a focal point of the Secondary Section and a learning environment central to the development of an information-literate school community. It is a 21st century learning space designed to meet the needs of students who want to read, study, research, investigate or explore. Our International Baccalaureate (IB) students spend their self-directed study periods here developing projects in an atmosphere conducive to deep learning. 

The Secondary Library houses a range of technology tools, literary classics, magazines and a wide range of contemporary fiction from a range of countries and cultures. There are books in English, Spanish, French and Italian. The Library collaborates with the English Department to promote a love of independent reading. 

Library activities include book discussions /debates, competitions, bookbinding, storytelling and the Bookworm Club.

Students are welcome to visit the library at any time during the day; parents are also welcome to visit and borrow materials before and after school. 

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 5:00 pm

“Research evidence from the United States, Canada, Britain and Australia asserts that students attain higher levels of achievement when they have access to a well-resourced school library staffed by qualified teachers/librarians.”
(ALIA - 2010)