By Charity Cantlie & Jennifer Gibson-millis, YIS Librarians
At YIS, the library serves as a vital center for inquiry and collaboration. This year, the Library Councils across the Elementary, Middle, and High Schools have taken an active role in shaping our literary culture by organizing meaningful initiatives and creative projects. Read on to discover how these student leaders are making the library a truly inclusive and student-centered space.
Elementary School Library Council
The Elementary School Library Council has been busy bringing big ideas and fresh voices into the Library! Students shared thoughtful suggestions to help shape the program, from creatively designing book displays and hosting fun book tastings, to launching an exciting bookmark competition. Library council members worked collaboratively to identify ways to make the library space more welcoming and easier to navigate, offering ideas for themed displays, clearer signage, and interactive features that invite students to explore new genres. They also discussed favourite read-alouds and considered how these shared reading experiences might deepen connections to topics and themes that matter to them. Through these conversations and hands-on design work, students are exercising real agency and voice, helping create a Library that reflects their interests and love of reading.
Middle School Library Council
The Middle School Library Council has been focused on promoting literacy and library engagement among MS students. We started the year with a Harry Potter Book Trailer competition for MS Homerooms, and were pleased to announce 6D as the winner! To promote a “love of reading,” we launched a Blind Book Date event leading up to Valentine’s Day. This allowed readers to discover new genres through wrapped books identified only by their first line, encouraging students to step outside their usual reading preferences. We are currently running a March Madness Tournament of Books, in which each Homeroom nominates their favorite book. We can’t wait to see who wins! Stay tuned for more projects coming from the MS Library Council, such as a Little Free Library and promotional videos.
High School Library Council
For this school year, the High School Library Council has focused on building connections across our school community through weekly guided reading sessions with small groups of Grade 2 students. During these sessions, we support younger students with their reading development, helping build confidence and foster a love of reading. We have also worked to make the library more accessible by improving how students navigate the space and find books independently. Within the school, we organised a Secret Santa book exchange with Grade 9 English classes, encouraging students to engage with the library and discover new titles through peer recommendations.
Before the end of the year, we are planning a Read-a-Thon fundraiser to support Room to Read, an organisation that promotes children’s literacy and girls’ education worldwide. We also hope to expand our efforts by supporting literacy initiatives beyond our school community.
Across Elementary, Middle, and High School, our Library Councils bring different perspectives and ideas, yet they are united by a shared purpose: strengthening our reading culture and deepening connections within our community. Through their initiatives, students are shaping a library environment that feels welcoming, inclusive, and responsive to their peers. In doing so, they are not only supporting literacy, but also learning how to contribute meaningfully to the life of the school.