Centres of Learning By Michelle Andis, ISA Librarian
The start of the 2014-15 school year saw the opening of two new library facilities for ISA – an Upper School library and research centre and a dedicated Early Childhood library. The two additions allow ISA to offer three beautiful student-centred libraries with books in over 20 languages and 24-hour access to services for students
role as a leading educational insitution in the surrounding communities is significant,” notes Andis. “So I wanted to make sure that the Upper School library incorporated an important and widely-recognised artist within Dutch culture as part of our design. We want to maintain our
via the individual library websites.
link with local culture, and this was one way to do so.”
The designs for the new libraries were influenced by
The Early Childhood library serves children from ages
local Dutch culture and the environment. The Upper School library, which serves grades 6–12, is reminiscent of a tree house, with wooden beams and details throughout and is situated within a leafy-green space of the ISA campus. At just over 500 square metres, the library boasts expansive picture windows, providing views of the surrounding treetops and allowing for natural light to stream in and energise those studying or using the space to hold classroom sessions. The colour schemes of the furnishings were influenced by Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh’s two most prominent paintings – Sunflowers and Wheatfield with Crows. This was 38
of extreme importance to librarian Michelle Andis. “ISA’s
two to four that are in the Early Childhood, Pre-school and Pre-kindergarten classes. Featuring a child-size sailboat for students to climb and read on, the library also has a Dutch-themed windmill bookshelf to encourage ISA’s smallest patrons to develop a love of reading. ISA’s Lower School library, in the main school building, was also upgraded with the creation of an internal classroom, and a picture books section moved to a glass sunroom to stimulate young minds. Both new libraries offer learning common spaces, with niche areas throughout to encourage a myriad of