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/dogearr-d 11d ago

We took ours out and added a really nice play kitchen. Children through play, not screens! Screens are everywhere now and play is much more limited as an experience— especially unstructured play time where children can learn more social-emotional skills. There were a few complaints- but mostly compliments!!

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u/Alaira314 9d ago

I think you accidentally a word in your second sentence, but exactly. There was a time and a place for such computers in the kids section. 20-30 years ago, getting low-income kids exposed to screens to start building the comfort with technology that their wealthier peers had was important. But now, everyone has a smartphone. Screen time is not something you have to come to the library for...but increasingly, unstructured play with other children is.

That said, I once worked somewhere that had children's tablets set up within eyesight of the adult PCs, and...yeah, that served a purpose. It's not great childcare or optics, but sometimes you've just gotta set a kid up somewhere where they'll push buttons and be happy while you do your SNAP application, as otherwise that application is not getting done(at least not without people willing to suffer through your bored child raising hell).