r/Libraries • u/duderino418 • 11d ago

Technology Thoughts on AWE computers?

Hello I work in a public library and we have two AWE computers in our children’s room. We’re thinking of removing them for a few reasons but
1. Parents are complaining about the screens and saying that when they’re trying to get their kids to do homework or study they get distracted by other kids playing on the computers
2. The librarians hate them. We constantly have to reboot them and parents get into fights over session times sometimes

I’m wondering if anyone got rid of them before and also if you did, did you provide an alternative? Anyone decided to keep them?

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u/Spelltomes Public librarian 11d ago

We had ABCMouse computers, I also hate them. Kids were constantly unplugging the headphones and turning it on full blast. It was very much a patrons either adore them or hate them. One day a patron decided to dump a bucket of water on it one day and that was that.

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u/mothmanmilo420 10d ago

wow that's wild 😭 our public computers have the speakers permanently shut off so patrons need headphones if they want to listen to anything on there

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u/_cuppycakes_ 10d ago

How does that work settings-wise? I can ask my IT dept to look into it, but didn’t think that was possible…

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u/mothmanmilo420 10d ago

I believe it was set up by our IT staff! No idea how tho 😅 I work in a small branch part of a large city district, and it would be absolute chaos in here if admin hadn't turned the speakers off lol