FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/7/16
“Media Mentor” Librarians Have a Powerful Tool: Children’s Technology Review Exchange
“Children’s Technology Review is THE SOURCE for digital exploration of book apps.”
Christopher Cheng, Lecturer, Salisbury University Summer School, 2016
FLEMINGTON, NJ September 6, 2016, Children’s Technology Review (CTR), the nation’s first and most respected media evaluation service has announced a set of new library friendly features and updates to its online database — Children’s Technology Review Exchange 3.0 (CTREX).
It is well known that an essential part of children’s librarianship today is incorporating quality digital resources with its print collections. Children’s Technology Review (CTR) is giving librarians the tools they need to become media mentors for their staff and communities.New features and updates include:
• Faster searching. The CTREX database makes it easy to find the latest apps, gadgets, tech toys, games and technology-related resources by a range of criteria, including rating, subject area, price (including “free”), age range and so on.
• Bookmarking. Sort and provide recommendations using bookmarking features, so lists can be easily refined, shared, or exported in a variety of data formats.
• An “EXchange” system. Now it’s easy to leave a comment, assign a rating, and read the reviews of other librarians, publishers and content experts.
• Resources for Digital Storytelling. A Librarian Hub offers one-click listings of apps and resources for a range of popular topics, from fiction and nonfiction and popular Storytime themes. CTREX is already making a difference for experienced librarians.
“I’m a huge fan of CTREX and recommend it all the time.”
Claudia Haines, Youth Services Librarian, Homer, AK, 2016
SITE LICENSE FEATURES
“We’ve been listening to our librarian subscribers, and have created a system of management tools, so that every patron or fellow staff member can get the level of access they need, at an affordable price,” said Matthew DiMatteo, CTR’s Sr. Web Developer and Database Manager. Features include:
Custom Portal URL provides patron access with no password required.
IP Filtering available as an alternate installation option – specify an IP address or range for patron access.
Admin Accounts provide librarians with Pro level access, plus a panel for managing organization information. These accounts can support multiple administrators, making it possible to manage a site license across different branches.
Organization Profile Page includes the option to provide public contact information and bookmarked reviews.
Usage Reports provides administrators with detailed statistics related to patron browsing activity.
Cost Estimator tool to calculate pricing based on the number of admin accounts and patron terminals. Tiered pricing model provides cost savings and broad access. Allowing librarians to stay within funding and budgets constraints while bringing the benefits of having a media evaluation resource and valuable comprehensive digital library of reviews to a broad number of patrons and staff.
VIEW THE COST ESTIMATOR HERE: http://reviews.childrenstech.com/ctr/licenses.php
Since 1993, Children’s Technology Review has been providing primary source reviews for teachers, parents and librarians, as well as for popular media outlets, including The New York Times, Yahoo Tech, Scholastic Parent & Child, PARADE, Parents Magazine and others. The CTR database powers two award programs: The Kids @ Play (KAPi Awards), given each year at CES, and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair’s BolognaRagazzi Digital Prize. CTR is ad free and subscriber supported ($60/year at www.childrenstech.com).
CONTACT
Becky Lingelbach, Editorial Coordinator or Warren Buckleitner, Ph.D. Editor
Children’s Technology Review
120 Main Street
Flemington, NJ 08822
908-284-0404 (9 to 5 EST)
info@childrenstech.com