About the Library
After separating in 1999, our libraries have been reunited and are known now as the Saalfeld Family Library.
It is a beautiful space, with vast amounts of natural light inside and an outside reading garden. Combined, our collection includes almost 40,000 books and materials, periodicals, DVDs, German language books, and other non-English sections. Our Specialist section caters to our IB students with books for those studying Theory of Knowledge (TOK) or just searching for a college or university to attend after their studies are completed.
Junior School students attend weekly classes in the library where they have an opportunity to take part in “Story Time”, to borrow books, and to learn about using the library more effectively.
Students in Grade 6 participate in regularly scheduled lessons in Library Information Literacy where they learn about such topics as bibliographies, use of reference books and electronic resources, plagiarism and Academic Honesty.
Using the Library
The Saalfeld Family Library is primarily a place for reading, study and reference. Students are requested to be quiet and considerate of others. The same rules apply to the Library Media Room, especially during busy breaks and lunch time.
Upon entering International School Hamburg, all students are provided with a library user’s number that can be found at the circulation desk. Parents and guardians of students may also use the library and will be given an account on request.
Books are normally loaned for two weeks. Loans can be renewed on request. DVDs and other audio/visual materials are normally loaned for one week.
Periodicals and some reference books may be borrowed overnight and in some cases for longer periods. Please ask the librarian.
Materials should be checked out at the desk with the person on duty. You cannot check out materials yourself.
Fines are not issued for overdue books and materials. Students will be reminded verbally and by e-mail when books and materials are late. If a loan is not returned in reasonable time, the borrower will be invoiced for €20 per material.