New School Library — 3,500 Books and a Space to Dream

Books have always been at the heart of learning at Seylom International School. This term, that commitment has received a magnificent physical expression with the opening of our newly renovated and fully restocked school library — a space that is already being called the heart of the school campus.

What's New

The renovation project, completed over the long vacation, has transformed the old library into a vibrant, modern learning hub:

• 3,500+ books across fiction, non-fiction, reference, science, history, arts, and exam preparation — curated for all age groups from Primary 1 to SS 3
• 6 private reading pods — soundproof, cosy booths perfect for focused individual reading or quiet study
• Digital Resource Centre — 15 computers with access to online libraries including JSTOR, Oxford Reference Online, and Encyclopedia Britannica
• Newspaper & Magazine Corner — daily newspapers and 12 magazine subscriptions including National Geographic Kids, New African, and Technext
• Audiobook Listening Station — students can listen to audiobooks through provided headphones — particularly popular with primary-age readers
• Teacher Resource Section — a dedicated shelf of pedagogy books, curriculum guides, and professional development resources for staff

The Reading Challenge

To mark the library opening, the school launched the Seylom 2025 Reading Challenge — a year-long programme encouraging students to read as many books as possible. Students earn badges and prizes for every 5 books they complete and review. The top reader from each section at the end of the year will win a tablet computer.

Community Access

In a generous initiative, the school has announced that parents and community members will be able to access the library on Saturday mornings between 9am and 12pm, free of charge. Membership cards will be issued at the school gate.

"A great library is not built in a day — it is built over decades by people who believe that reading changes lives," said the school's Librarian, Mrs. Patricia Igwe. "We are incredibly proud of this space, and we can't wait to see our students fill it with their curiosity."

Book Donation Drive

The school continues to accept book donations from parents, alumni, and well-wishers. If you have books in good condition that you'd like to donate, please drop them at the school's front office. All donations are gratefully received and will be catalogued into the library collection.

Come in, find a book, and get lost in it. That is what libraries are for.