The Hanau City Library is opening its doors to the next generation of software critics. As part of the TOMMI German Children's Software Award, the library is currently seeking children and teenagers to join an exclusive jury and actively decide which applications and games deserve the highest honor of the year. For young gamers, this is a unique opportunity to step out of the role of a mere consumer and adopt the perspective of an expert.
The concept behind the TOMMI award is as elegant as it is democratic. While an independent professional jury first makes a shortlist of the highest quality titles, the final decision rests entirely with the children and teenagers. These participants evaluate the software in participating libraries—in this case, in Hanau—based on their own gaming experience, educational value, and pure enjoyment. This ensures that actual user experience takes precedence over theoretical quality standards.
Requirements for participation in Hanau are simple, but the responsibility is significant. The library is generally looking for young people between the ages of 8 and 13 who are eager to test various titles on iPads and other devices. The city library provides the necessary infrastructure, including Wi-Fi. It is a fascinating experiment in media literacy: participants learn to question software critically, analyze game mechanics, and justify their opinions with sound arguments.
Interested applicants should not wait too long, as the application deadline is October 2, 2025. This is a great initiative that demonstrates that libraries are no longer just places for books, but modern media centers that take the digital living space of children seriously and encourage its development.
For the nerd community, this project sends an important signal. It promotes an early engagement with software design and quality management. When children learn that their opinion on a game's quality matters, they lay the foundation for a critical and conscious gaming culture that extends far beyond simply completing levels.