The MEF IS Library serves as a dynamic resource center, supporting both curriculum needs and recreational reading for our entire school community, from Preschool through Grade 12. Our collection is extensive and current, featuring both physical and digital resources designed to cultivate a love for reading and enhance each student’s educational journey. We warmly invite families to explore our resources and discover the wide variety of materials available to support learning and engagement.

Library Hours

Monday to Friday: 07:30–15:30

Parent Access
Parents are welcome to join as library patrons and may check out up to 10 books at a time. Circulation guidelines for students also apply to parents (e.g., one book per author and one in a series). Parents are also invited to volunteer their time in the library, assisting with tasks such as shelving and labeling.

Parent Checkout Hours

• Monday and Friday 7:30–7:50
• Wednesday 3:00–3:30

Note: If library hours change, please refer to this page for the latest schedule.

Borrowing Guidelines

• Circulation Limits

Books may be borrowed for 1 week, with the option to renew up to 3 times (as long as another student hasn’t requested the same title). We encourage students to return or renew their books on time so that everyone in our community has a chance to enjoy our collection.

• Overdue, Lost or Damaged Books

Patrons are kindly requested to return or renew books on time. In the event of a lost or damaged book, families will be asked to either replace the exact copy or cover the replacement cost so that we can maintain a high-quality collection for all students.

Library Catalog

Our Follett Destiny Library Catalog is accessible online, allowing students and parents to log in from any location. Using the catalog, users can:

• Search for books by title, author, and subject
• Save personal resource lists
• Access Follett Shelf eBooks
• Find leveled websites via WebPath Express
• Create bibliographies

For assistance in using the catalog, explore our helpful video tutorials:

•   How to Use Follett Destiny Basic Search 
•   How to Use WebPath Express 

Primary School Library Access

Primary students (Preschool–Grade 5) attend a weekly library lesson, alternating between free reading weeks and skill-based lesson weeks. These sessions are designed to build a love of reading alongside essential research and information literacy skills.

Lesson weeks include:

• Read-aloud sessions to build a love of storytelling and literature
• Research skills appropriate to each grade level
• Introduction to citation and bibliographies
• Academic integrity, including age-appropriate discussions on plagiarism and giving credit to authors
• Creative activities, such as bookmaking and bookmark-making, to deepen engagement with reading

Secondary School Library Access

Secondary students (Grades 6–12) engage with the library in a variety of flexible ways, tailored to their academic and personal needs:

• Teacher-led visits: Subject teachers bring their classes to the library for research projects, unit inquiries, or citation and academic integrity support.
• Independent visits: Students are welcome to visit the library on their own during breaks and free periods to read, study, or conduct research.
• Self-study periods: Students may use their designated self-study time to work independently in the library.
• On-demand support: The librarian is available to assist students individually with research skills, source evaluation, and citation whenever needed.

Extended Essay & Research Support

Our library is here to support IB Diploma Programme students throughout their Extended Essay journey. We offer:

• Guidance in selecting and narrowing down research topics
• Access to academic databases and reliable research tools
• Support with citation styles and creating bibliographies
• One-on-one research consultations by appointment

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core value we help instill in every student, from Primary through Grade 12. The library plays an active role in teaching students how to use information responsibly and ethically. This includes:

• Understanding plagiarism: Age-appropriate lessons on what plagiarism is and why giving credit to original authors matters.
• Proper citation: Guidance on citing sources correctly using recognized styles, tailored to each grade level.
• Creating bibliographies: Hands-on practice building bibliographies and reference lists for research and projects.
• Evaluating sources: Teaching students to assess the reliability and credibility of the information they use.

Reading Week

Following in the tradition of MEF Schools’ well-established Book Fair and Author Talk Days, our library hosts an annual Reading Week, bringing students face-to-face with authors, illustrators, and creative voices from the publishing world. This much-anticipated week is filled with special activities designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading and spark curiosity beyond the classroom.

Online Resources & Information Literacy

At MEF International School, we believe learning reaches beyond classroom walls. To support independent study and enrich classroom learning, we provide a variety of online resources accessible through Follett Destiny.

Our digital library includes resources across these categories:

• Subscriptions
• Research Tools
• Information Literacy, Study Skills, and Writing Guides
• Multicultural Resources
• Exploration Guides: Discover Turkey and Istanbul
• Magazines & Periodicals
• Science & Math Resources

We encourage our community to make the most of these resources, which have been carefully curated to promote academic success, inspire curiosity, and support a lifelong love of reading and learning.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about borrowing materials, accessing online resources, volunteering in the library, or finding the right resources for your child, please feel free to contact the MEF IS Library. We are always happy to assist members of our school community.

Phone: +90 212 362 26 33 | Ext. 1356

Email: kayan@mefis.k12.tr