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SAT®/ACT® Essentials Test Prep
Your patrons get 24/7, no-cost access to The Princeton Review SAT/ACT Essentials self-paced courses. These feature:

• 20 full-length practice tests
• Detailed score reports
• Video lessons
• Practice drills
• College planner tool
• …and of course don’t forget online help from real tutors every day from 12 pm to 12 am

Download the SAT®/ACT® Essentials Test Prep below and share it with you patrons. Test Time is Fast Approaching!

https://tutor.com/clpgh

~ Hilary Lewis, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

We all know how great (and popular) Mango Languages is – and for good reason! It’s a great resource.

However, there is another language learning resource that we and our patrons can utilize and that’s Transparent Language available through Power Library.

There are many languages to choose from.

Many even offer lessons geared to people who speak another language other than English.

You can sign in as a guest or set up an account which is helpful as it will keep track of your progress.

Be sure to take some time to poke around the site and see if there is a language you would like to learn!

Tracy – Monroeville Public Library

The Digital Resources Committee is in the process of reviewing the databases in the eLibrary collection to determine which databases will be renewed for 2026.

Each database is evaluated by the same set of criteria to make sure our evaluations are consistent and thorough. Some of the criteria we consider are: 

User Experience

• Quality of interface: functionality, appeal, etc.
• Availability and usefulness of help features 
• Search function/options 
• Translation function availability/language options

Relevance

• Uniqueness of information: Readily available elsewhere? Costly to attain in other ways?
• Appropriateness for the target audience
• Degree to which content of database meets a community information need
• Level of audience interest

Authority

• Amount of peer-reviewed content
• Publisher/vendor reputation
• Ability to identify authority
• Quality of content contributors

Content Availability

• Amount of full text
• Amount of embargoed content
• Access to retrospective content

Accessibility Interface

• Compatibility with accessibility software
• Does the page layout allow for logical navigation using JAWS (or other software)?
• Quality/existence of alt tags and/or other coding
• Ability to adjust font size

The following databases have been reviewed

• Ancestry Library Edition
• Gale Biography in Context
• Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context
• Gale U.S. History in Context
• Gale World History in Context
• Historical Black Newspapers
• Novelist Plus
• Novelist K – 8 Plus
• Creativebug
• Business Source Elite
• Consumer Reports
• Morningstar

Based on the criteria, the use and cost of the databases, and discussions during our monthly meetings, the following database will not be renewed upon its upcoming renewal date.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context

The remaining databases will be reviewed over the next couple of months:

• Gale Legal Forms
• Tutor.com
• Udemy
• Little Pim Languages
• Mango Languages

Announcements will be made after the DRC concludes our evaluation to notify staff which, if any, of these databases will not be renewed.

The databases not listed in our evaluation that are on the eLibrary site are Power Library databases, so we are not including them in our evaluation process.

If you have questions, please contact Hilary Lewis at lewislacknerh@carnegielibrary.org.

As educators and library staff, we continuously seek high-quality, reliable digital resources to fuel the curiosity of young learners. Gale Kids InfoBits stands out as one of our most dependable and user-friendly tools for teaching students essential research skills, safe information-seeking practices, and age-appropriate content.

Whether a student is delving into animal studies for a class project, learning about historical figures, or exploring their personal interests, Kids InfoBits makes the experience enjoyable, accessible, and secure.

🌟 What Is Gale Kids InfoBits?

Gale Kids InfoBits is an online research database designed specifically for elementary-aged students. It offers:

• **Age-appropriate articles** written in clear, kid-friendly language
• **Engaging visuals** including photos, diagrams, and illustrations
• **Reliable, vetted content** sourced from magazines, reference books, and trusted digital platforms
• **User-friendly navigation** and search tools tailored for developing readers

Think of it as a “starter research database” that empowers children to explore topics responsibly, without getting lost in overwhelming or unverified information.

🎒 Why Should Staff Recommend It?

Here are several compelling reasons to suggest Kids InfoBits to families, educators, and young learners:

• **Fosters Early Research Skills**

The intuitive interface guides students in learning how to search, browse categories, and evaluate sources—skills that will benefit them throughout their academic journeys.

• **Content That Kids Grasp Easily**

Articles feature simple language, helpful glossaries, and read-aloud functions, ensuring accessibility for all reading levels.

• **Curriculum-Aligned Topics**

The database encompasses subjects commonly assigned in school, such as:

• • Animals and nature
  • Science and technology
  • Geography
  • Biographies
  • Social studies and history

🚀 Tips for Introducing Students to Kids InfoBits

If you facilitate classroom visits, research assignments, or library orientations, consider these quick tips:

• **Begin with a tour:** Guide students through the main categories. The icon-based homepage makes this engaging and intuitive.
• **Utilize the read-aloud feature:** This is especially helpful for younger readers or English language learners.
• **Demonstrate a search:** Show how to input a keyword, select an article, and identify key features such as headings, images, and fact boxes.

**Encourage exploration:** Kids often uncover new interests while browsing by topic!

Gabi – Robinson