Library & Technology

Library
Technology

Library

We help students navigate through the information age; and to read, inquire, evaluate, collaborate, create, and share ethically.

Across its two libraries, ACS holds approximately 60,000 information records including the following:

a substantial collection of eBooks,
20 current online periodical subscriptions,
online encyclopedias, and
5 academic databases.

ACS libraries are dedicated not only to providing access to information, but also to assisting students in developing successful strategies for finding and evaluating information for a full range of needs. Orientation, individual instruction, training sessions and research assistance are available to library users throughout the year.

Research and Reading Tools

The following resources (Research Tools and Reading Tools) are subscription-based, and some require a username and password. Please contact your librarian for login instructions.

Research Tools
Reading Tools

Research Tools

Reading Tools

Teaching and Learning

Teacher Librarians work closely with classroom teachers to model and deliver high-quality teaching and learning experiences. They also guide students in selecting appropriate resources that support academic success.

The library actively supports the literature programs of the English and World Language departments and plays a key role in the implementation of the IB program by ensuring alignment with all relevant IB standards and practices.

Library Collection Development Policy

The ACS Library selection policy reflects the philosophy and goals of the school. It supports the principles of intellectual freedom presented by the ALA in their documents Access to Resources and Services in the School Library Media Program, and the Library Bill of Rights, ALA, Student’s Right to Read when said documents are not in disagreement with the laws of Lebanon.

Teacher Librarians are responsible for the review, evaluation, and selection of the school library media collection. Teacher Librarians work cooperatively with administrators and teachers to provide resources that enrich and support the curriculum as well as meet the needs of recreational reading and personal interests of the learning community. To ensure that these needs are met, teacher librarians apply selection criteria and use recommended selection tools. All purchases, including gifts, should meet the same selection guidelines.

The selection of library materials is guided by the following principles:

Place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of materials.
Identify materials that support and enrich the identified learning outcomes of the school’s instructional program.
Identify materials that reflect personal reading interests that help students develop a wealth of background knowledge.
In the development of general interest materials, the teacher librarian should strive for a balanced collection, free of stereotype, and one that is not weighted heavily toward any topic or idea yet still mirrors the interests of the school community.
Provide materials in the three languages of instruction that support identified learning outcomes and reflect recreational reading interests.
Select materials that stimulate growth in literary appreciation, aesthetic standards, and ethical judgment.
Provide materials on multiple sides of controversial issues so that students are required to weigh alternatives and think critically.
Provide selections that reflect the pluralistic nature of the ACS community and the larger global society.
Consider the range of abilities, maturity, and preferred learning style of students served when selecting materials in a variety of formats.
Choose materials that have visual appeal and accessibility, have accurate and current content information, and are cost effective when considering projected use and durability.

Age-Appropriate Books

The ACS Upper Library is committed to providing equal and equitable access to all library resources and services for users of all ages. Students who choose to read books that are significantly above their reading level or that contain more mature content are encouraged to consult with their parents or guardians. Families who prefer that their children not access certain materials are advised to communicate those preferences directly with their children.

If a librarian determines that a book contains mature content and a student is not permitted to borrow it, the student may request permission from a parent or guardian by completing the form below:

Parental Permission for Access to Mature Content

I give permission for my child,

Student Name:

to borrow the following book(s), which may contain material of a more mature nature:

Book Title(s):

Parent/Guardian Name:

Signature:

Date:

Library Material Reconsideration Request

Library Services and Policies

This section provides important information about library services, borrowing procedures, and usage policies. Please review the guidelines below to ensure a smooth and respectful library experience for all members of the ACS community.

Circulation

Locating and Borrowing Books / AV Materials

Search the Library Online Catalog to locate library materials and identify their circulation status. Books are arranged on the shelves using the Dewey Decimal Classification System. Numerical location guides are posted throughout the library shelves. Users may also ask attending staff at the Circulation Desk for assistance in locating requested materials. Students are held responsible for anything checked out under his/her name and therefore shall not transfer or lend his/her borrowed materials to others.

Loan Period

Books and AV materials may be checked out of the Library according to a set of rules and regulations. Students may borrow iPads for short periods to be used only on the premises.

Borrower Category	Number of Items Allowed	Length of Loan	Renewal
Faculty	50	30 D	2 times
Staff	10	30 D	2 times
Parents	10	30 D	2 times
Grades 9-12	15	30 D	2 times
Grades 6,7,8	10	20 D	2 times
Grades 3,4,5	4	1 W	1 time
Grades 1,2	4	1 W	1 time
KG2	4	1 W	1 time
KG1	1	1 W	1 time
Nursery	1	1 W	1 time

Renewals, Returns and Reservations

Library materials may be renewed twice unless reserved by another user. Eligible borrowers may reserve books that are already on-loan; reservations are made either through the Library Online Catalog by signing in to your account or in person at the Circulation Desk. When a reserved book is returned to the library, the requester will receive an email informing him/her of its availability.

Lost and Damaged Library Items

Printing and Photocopying Guidelines

A Printing Pin or a valid ACS ID Card is required for authorized users to login to the Library printers / photocopiers.

Procedure for student usage:

Send an email to:
mobileprint@acsbeirut.eu.uniflowonline.com
Attach the document(s) you wish to print.
Within a minute, you will receive a confirmation email that your document is ready to print.
On the printer, insert your printing PIN to log in to your account.
On the Home Screen, select Secure Print.
Select the documents needed and click the Print + Keep button.

Ordering New Library Items

Discipline at the Library

NO Food or Drink is allowed in any of the library areas.
There are severe penalties for the theft or mutilation of any library property.
Belongings are not to be left unattended at any time. The Library is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Library privileges may be revoked in case of violation of the rules and regulations, disruptive behavior, or any activity deemed detrimental to the library or any of its primary users.

Library Contacts and Hours

For inquiries, assistance, or general information, please contact a member of our library team using the details below. Library hours for each division are also provided.

Library Team Contacts
Library Hours

Library Team Contacts

Library Hours

Technology

We foster innovation and responsible Digital Citizenship through comprehensive programs, policies, and guidelines.

At ACS Beirut, we believe that technology provides essential learning tools for learners and teachers. The ACS Technology Program empowers our learning community to access and utilize information and technologies to inquire, collaborate, design, reflect, construct, and communicate inclusively and ethically. Through integration with other disciplines, students will be able to perform the following:

leverage tools to take an active role in choosing, achieving and demonstrating competency in their learning goals (Empowered Learner)
recognize the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of living, learning and working in an interconnected world, and act/model in ways that are safe, legal and ethical (Ethical and Digital Citizen)
build new knowledge by inquiring, thinking critically, identifying problems, and developing strategies for solving problems (Engaged Inquirer)
use a variety of tools within a design process to identify and solve problems by creating new, useful, or imaginative solutions (Innovative Designer)
develop and employ strategies for understanding and solving problems in ways that leverage the power of diverse methods to develop and test solutions (Computational Thinker)
communicate effectively and creatively using tools to meet their objective (Creative Communicator)
collaborate, both locally and globally, synchronously or asynchronously, to extend and enrich learning (Global Collaborator)
demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to inclusiveness and respect for diversity in the learning community (Inclusive Learner)

We collaborate with students to encourage responsible digital behavior and technology use, with a focus on digital citizenship integrated into the curriculum and jointly instructed by counselors, technology integrators, and teachers. As part of this, we emphasize the ethical and informed use of AI tools—teaching students to engage with these technologies thoughtfully, critically, and with academic integrity. While we acknowledge and embrace technology’s constant presence, we also highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy balance.

Innovation & Design Spaces
Digital Citizenship

Innovation & Design Spaces

Digital Citizenship

We prioritize the cultivation of digital citizenship in our students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to responsibly navigate the digital world, including the responsible and ethical use of AI. ACS Beirut students learn about Digital Citizenship through our comprehensive Digital Citizenship Plan, which incorporates materials from Digital Citizenship by Common Sense Education, Google's Be Internet Awesome Program, a Digital Safety and Citizenship Curriculum, and dedicated AI literacy components that prepare students to think critically about AI tools and their impact.