Libraries
A Place to Find Your Favourite Books
We want our students to develop a lifelong love of reading and the skills necessary to become a successful independent learner.
We believe that reading for pleasure opens up young minds to the lives of others from different cultures and time periods. As a result students develop empathy, compassion and curiosity for others and the world around them.
Librarian Primary School: Elizabeth Hayes
Library bags for Early Years and Primary students are available for 8€ from Ms Hayes, the Primary School Librarian.
Librarian Secondary School: Maria Gardzish
Early Years Library
Our Early Years children enjoy weekly visits to the Kita library, where they can explore a rich and diverse collection of age-appropriate books. In the classroom, a wide variety of engaging reading materials is always available to spark curiosity and foster a love of stories. Children are invited to choose books to take home and share with their families, helping to build early literacy skills and create special reading moments together.
Secondary Library
The Secondary School librarian collaborates closely with teaching staff to ensure the library offers a comprehensive collection of resources that support students’ academic needs. In addition to educational materials, the library features a diverse selection of engaging and thought-provoking fiction, including both classic and contemporary novels, many available in graphic novel format.
The library serves as a dynamic learning environment and may occasionally be used for lessons. It remains open throughout the school day, providing students with a quiet space for reading and independent study. Computers are available for use, with internet access permitted in accordance with the school's usage policy.
A curated selection of subject-specific magazines is also available, arriving on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis to keep students informed and inspired.
For example:
Economic review
English review
Geography review
Geographical
Nature
Scientific American
The Economist
Der Spiegel
Süddeutsche Zeitung Langstrecke
The Times Literary Supplement
The London Review of Books
and
ft.com (free online access)
Primary Library
At BBS, we believe in nurturing a lifelong love of reading from the earliest stages of a child’s education. Our Primary School classes visit the Library once a week, where reading is celebrated and supported through a variety of engaging activities.
During their weekly sessions, students have the opportunity to borrow books to take home: children in Grade 1 may choose up to three books, while those in Grades 2 to 5 may borrow up to five. Books are expected to be returned the following week, and renewals can be arranged upon request. In addition to borrowing books, students listen to stories, develop essential library skills, and conduct research to support their classroom learning.
Our library sessions are designed not only to build literacy skills but also to cultivate curiosity, imagination, and independent thinking. Teachers and the librarian guide students as they browse, encouraging them to explore a wide range of genres and topics while also giving them the freedom to follow their own reading interests.
Beyond scheduled class visits, the Library is open daily from 12:50 to 13:20 for Library Club, where children are welcome to read, browse, and check out books.
The Primary Library houses an extensive collection of nearly 15,000 books in both English and German, along with a small but growing selection of ‘Home Language’ titles. New books are added regularly, and students are encouraged to make book suggestions through our Suggestions Box, helping to create a collection that reflects their interests and needs.
Our collection includes both fiction and non-fiction texts to support recreational reading, research, and inquiry-based learning, as well as to complement the BBS curriculum and the development of the IB Learner Profile.
To spark interest and engagement, the librarian regularly creates themed displays at the entrance of the Library on topics such as Back to School, Halloween, or Poetry, highlighting the rich resources available and inspiring students to discover something new.
Finally, we strongly encourage parents to support reading at home by reading aloud with their children every day. Sharing stories together not only strengthens literacy skills but also fosters a deep emotional connection to books and learning.
