Libraries at Park Lane International School

At Park Lane International School, our libraries are welcoming, student-centred spaces that play an essential role in learning across all age groups. More than collections of books, they are vibrant learning hubs where curiosity is encouraged, reading is celebrated and students develop the research, inquiry and thinking skills they need for academic success and life beyond school.

Across our campuses, libraries support our international curriculum, including the International Baccalaureate, by nurturing confident readers, independent learners and thoughtful global citizens in an environment that is calm, inclusive and inspiring.

EYFS and Primary Libraries at Park Lane

The EYFS and Primary School Libraries are designed to spark imagination and foster a lifelong love of reading. Bright, inviting and carefully curated, it is filled with thousands of wonderful books for children that support classroom learning and reading for pleasure.

Younger year groups have a once a week library time slot where they come and change their books. They have an opportunity to enjoy the space, look through the books and choose a new book to borrow. Older year groups can take advantage of the library’s open-door and come and change their books at their convenience. The simple barcode system makes it easy for pupils to independently scan their books when they need to.

Highlights of our Primary Library experience include:

A huge selection of over 4,000 books to choose from, ranging from fiction and non-fiction
Library sessions with younger year pupils
Open access to the library for older pupils to utilise
A warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for cosying up with a book

By nurturing positive reading habits from an early age, the Primary Library helps students build confidence, creativity and a strong foundation for future learning.

The library is open Monday – Friday during school hours

Primary children reading books in the library at Park Lane

Libraries at Secondary School

Our Secondary School libraries and learning centres are located across three sites, each offering a distinct environment while sharing a common purpose: to support independent learning, research skills, reading for pleasure and student wellbeing. Together, they form an integrated library provision that accompanies students throughout their secondary education.

Books in the learning centre at Valdštejnská, secondary campus

Valdštejnská Site – Learning Centre

The Learning Centre at the Valdštejnská site sits at the heart of the Secondary School and plays a central role in teaching and learning. Designed with students in mind, it is a welcoming and flexible space for study, collaboration and reading, complemented by a purpose-built silent study nook introduced in 2025.

Students from Years 6 to 9 attend a dedicated weekly lesson in the Learning Centre. During these sessions, reading progress is monitored through the Accelerated Reader programme, helping students select books that are appropriately challenging while supporting comprehension and confidence. Colour-coded collections make it easy for students to find books at their level, and online quizzes encourage reflection and goal-setting. Alongside reading development, lessons focus on information literacy, research skills, digital citizenship and critical thinking.

Reading is actively celebrated through creative and engaging initiatives that bring the space to life. These include Battle of the Books, Blind Date with a Book, The Great Bookish Bake-Off, book tastings, visiting author workshops and book fairs. Reading milestones are celebrated as a community, with students recognised for their achievements, including a celebratory pizza party upon reaching one million words read.

Resources and tools:

Accelerated Reader programme
Online library catalogue
Print fiction and non-fiction collections
Digital research and reading resources

Opening hours:

Open daily 8:00 – 15:30

Privacy booth at Valdštejnská campus allowing the privacy during studying and meetings

Students reading books at the Valdštejnská campus in the learning center

Klárov Site – Secondary Library

The Secondary Library at the Klárov site provides a calm, purposeful environment that supports academic focus and independent study. It is designed to meet the needs of older secondary students, offering both quiet areas for concentration and spaces for small-group collaboration.

Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning by developing strong research, referencing and critical thinking skills, with guidance in academic integrity and ethical use of information.

Resources and tools:

Curriculum-linked fiction and non-fiction collections
Research and referencing resources
Digital databases and online reading materials

Opening hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday lunchtimes.

Úvoz Site – Secondary Library

The Library at the Úvoz site supports students in a focused and supportive environment that balances academic rigour with wellbeing. It offers a space where students can read for pleasure, conduct research or work independently in a calm setting.

The library complements classroom learning by encouraging sustained reading and deeper engagement with texts, while also supporting collaborative learning when appropriate. Through access to carefully selected resources, students continue to develop the skills needed to navigate a complex and information-rich world.

Families are encouraged to engage with the library by exploring the online catalogue and supporting reading at home, reinforcing the strong partnership between school and family.

Resources and tools: