It’s been an exciting, invigorating year for CLCD! We hope for you as well, and particularly regarding your use of CLCD. In May 2013, we introduced CLCD, version 2.0; then in December, we released version 3.0. And now, in April 2014, CLCD, version 3.1 was released! Phew! The changes all have been to bring CLCD into the 21st Century (whether you use a desktop, a laptop, or a tablet), to make it better and easier to use, and to increase visual appeal of our site. Rest assured-this is the last big change for a while.

Let me focus on four biggies in the 3.1 release. Two bring us into the world of interactivity and two focus more on searching and delivering results to users via OPAC.

1. The Forum is a place where you can learn, share and grow in your passion for the best-of-the-best in Children’s and Y/A Literature by having “conversations” with other members within certain discussion categories. More categories will be added as the Forum grows. You’ll be able to comment and collaborate with colleagues known only to you virtually! Find out more about the Forum at http://clcd.com/index.php/forum/noforumaccess# Then jump in, discover, build community, and increase knowledge.
2. Member/subscriber contributed content will allow users to enter links to web-related content, such as book trailers and lesson plans, on the Book Detail page for others to see and use. Note this is separate from our professionally developed and aggregated content, already available on the Book Detail page. We believe having member contributor content will open subscriber/users to valuable web content, saving time while increasing learning and encouraging reading.
3. Search Result filtering has long been one of our strengths, but now it’s even better. Now you can ‘filter’ your original Search Results list using ANY original Search Limiter function. You are able to navigate the original list of resulting titles and narrow the list down by using qualifiers now always right there on your screen. No going back or rekeying searches! You will be able to more quickly find just the right ones for your patron, student, or booklist.
4. OPAC links continue to be improved. One of our most popular new features in 3.0 has been the ability to check holdings and to return the appropriate message regarding availability. (This feature must be user-activitated by an administrator.) Version 3.1 provides the ability to choose an ‘Automatic OPAC check or a Manual OPAC check’ and to choose an ISBN match or Title/Author.

We understand that change causes more discomfort in some than others. Winston Churchill said, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” While perfection is probably beyond our grasp, we are committed to being the best we can be for you. We are here to help you if you need it. Just click the Feedback button or email bill.payne@clcd.com and you’ll quickly hear back from one of us. For more in depth information about CLCD, v. 3.1, go to http://www.clcd.com/news/nl_2014spl.html.