Imagine walking into the SIS library and finding a book in your native language, a story that resonates with your culture and background. This vision is what our dedicated librarian, Ms. Pongo, is working tirelessly to bring to life. Ms.Pongo shared some exciting news this year, the library received 50,000 kr from the Spirit Fund. This generous amount will be used specifically to purchase books in various home languages, ensuring that all the SIS students have access to literature that reflects their own cultures, fosters a sense of belonging, and encourages a deeper connection to reading. 

Despite the new funds, finding books in various languages isn’t easy. To overcome this challenge, Ms. Pongo hopes that students and parents travelling to their home countries can help by bringing back books or recommending specific titles in their native languages. In fact, a new tradition has been introduced this year where new students at SIS were asked to donate a book from their home country. These donated books are placed on a special shelf near the entrance, with the donor’s name inscribed inside the cover, adding a personal touch and making the library even more unique.

Ms. Pongo is passionate about making the new bookshelf exciting and inviting for students, especially with its collection of books in different languages. “I want this bookshelf to really catch student’s attention,” she said. “Fiction is always a big hit, but we’re open to anything students will enjoy, whether it’s adventure, fantasy, or even something more personal.”

Ms. Pongo is encouraging students to share their favourite books in their native languages. If you have a recommendation, she’d love to hear from you! Just email her the book’s details along with an English translation of the title. It’s an easy way to help ensure that our library celebrates the diverse languages spoken at SIS.

I’ve already made my suggestion—now it’s your turn! Let’s work together to build a multilingual library. What book will you recommend?