“Our libraries consider themselves as places where the reading, learning, and research habits are developed, and aim to meet the information needs of all students, teachers, and staff.
The Terakki Foundation Schools Libraries provide services as four libraries: Levent Campus Elementary School Library, Levent Campus High School Library, Tepeören Campus Elementary School Library, and Tepeören Campus High School Library.
The resources in our libraries are organized according to the “Anglo-American Cataloging Rules,” which consist of international cataloging rules, and the library classification system based on the decimal system known as the “Dewey Decimal Classification System.” These resources are made available through an open-shelf system. Our students and users can access current library records and electronic databases online through the internet.
Technology
Our libraries have a management approach that keeps up with the latest innovations in school librarianship. In line with this approach, the SirsiDynix library automation system is used in our libraries. With this system, every library transaction is electronically conducted according to K-12 international standards.
Through this system, our users can seamlessly perform tasks such as searching for electronic and printed resources in the library collections online, reserving materials when needed, and borrowing and returning items. Additionally, users can log in to their library accounts through the website to track their library activities.
Collection
All our users can benefit from the “General Collection,” “Reference Books Collection,” “Atatürk Books Collection,” “e-Resources Collection,” and “Periodicals Collection” within the framework of library rules.
e-Collection
Our subscription includes access to over 6 million e-resources scanned in the Britannica Online, Ebsco E-Book High School Collection, Tumble, Cumhuriyet Newspaper Archive, Jstor, and the Sora Magazines platform, available 24/7 from anywhere.
Services
In our libraries, services such as reference, lending, periodicals, user education, and technical services are carried out by expert librarians with professional training. These services are reinforced with educational programs and activities supporting the school curriculum.
In the Elementary School Library serving from kindergarten to 5th grade, lessons are given to develop students’ language and expression, critical thinking skills, and international perspectives. Activities such as reading hour, Information Literacy Skills, English, and Turkish lessons take place in the library. During reading hours, students independently explore and read books in the library. In information literacy and English lessons, they learn how to use the library and conduct research through the program we have created. They connect with IB-PYP inquiry units and engage in interactive activities and projects emphasizing libraries as the cradle of knowledge. Additionally, activities such as “Story Reading” and “Fairy Tale Reading” are organized in our library.
In the High School Library, various user training sessions are provided for students and teachers. Library introductions are given to classes at the beginning of each academic year.
Our students are encouraged to learn through inquiry by the International Baccalaureate Organization’s (IBO) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) curricula. They receive English education on practical academic honesty and use a world-standard library catalog and electronic database to enhance their reading and research skills.
Throughout the year, our libraries organize discussions and book signing events with authors of books students have read on specific days and weeks. Additionally, every May, a “Library Festival” is held with events such as author talks, theater performances, music concerts, art exhibitions, workshops, and a book fair.”