This year marks the 21st anniversary of our school, and throughout our history we have dedicated ourselves to preparing our students for their future by providing high quality education to enhance their bi-literacy and tri-lingualism, to develop their higher order thinking skills, and to foster their multi-intelligence. Research findings illustrate the positive impact of dynamic, inclusive library services and environments that are aligned with the school's vision and learning goals. Researches about educational trends and pedagogical models also show the significant difference effective school library services can make on students' literacy and learning outcomes in improving their reading test scores, academic achievement and learning attitudes. In order to fulfill our mission, our school library's renovation project creates an environment that facilitates interaction, creativity, innovation, learning, and new access to resources and information. The renovation project includes facility upgrades and program enhancement. We appreciate Dr. Tong Nai Kan's (1999-2000 Director of Po Leung Kuk) recognition of our students' successes and are grateful that he is supporting our school through his generous donation as we embark on an exciting new chapter for our library.
The renovation of our school library took place during summer 2018. It features several architectural highlights. As we planned the structure, our thinking was not simply to erect a bigger and better library, but to transform the learning experience for students and for the school at a critical time in its evolution.
First, the library was intentionally placed on the 5/F of the main building and featured with a glass wall because we not only want the external architectural view to turn out stunning but also like to reclaim the sky through the glass wall and capture the natural sunlight. That is because our school is an environmental friendly school; the ideas behind applying glass materials in wall construction, on one hand is to reduce the electronic lights during daytime, on the other hand is to allow cosy sunlight to flood in and provide users with a connection with the natural world.
Second, with the additional storage space, the library offers resource for our students including eBooks, academic databases, and innovative programs that allow students to explore their creative inclinations, learn new skills, and apply their learning in innovative ways.
Finally, students now rely on the Internet for more of their information than ever before. Libraries need big changes to remain relevant. It is not enough to simply 'be there' anymore. School libraries need to reach out to students and pull them in with programs geared towards students to foster creativity and imagination beyond just library collections. Therefore, a study room is allocated in the library for organizing library programs. These programs will challenge how students learn and explore new ways of engagement. By developing social skills with educational events and broadening their horizons with makerspaces and new workshop activities, students will learn, grow and connect with others in completely new ways in the future.