Library selected to receive new children’s computer station
Six-year-old Yazmin Ruiz enjoys time using the AWE computer at the Paso Robles Library. The AWE computer uses touch screen technology, has a colorful keyboard and includes content featuring characters and stories familiar to young children.
The Paso Robles City Library has been chosen by the California State Library and the Califa Library Group during a competitive process to receive one of fifty new AWE station bilingual computers for the children’s area of the library.
The library currently has one AWE computer station which has received much use since its arrival in January of 2014. During the last year, the computer station was used over 1,500 times by library patrons usually under the age of nine. The new computer will join the existing AWE station on a shared carrel in the children’s area of the library. The online public access catalog (OPAC) that had previously shared this space will be relocated to a new carrel to be purchased by the Paso Robles Library Foundation.
“We feel so very fortunate to have been chosen to receive a new AWE station through the generosity of the California State Library and Califa,” said Julie Dahlen, Director of Library and Recreation Services for the City of Paso Robles. “The colorful keyboard, touch screen technology and engaging programs make the AWE station a popular destination in the children’s section of our library. With an additional AWE station, our library will be able to serve more children with this engaging technology that supports so many areas of important early learning.”
Especially designed for library patrons ages 2-8, the AWE station features over 4,000 localized learning activities available in both English and Spanish. Unlike other public computers, the AWE is designed specifically for younger children as a safe learning environment. The station is self contained and does not need to connect to the internet to access programs. The content includes characters and stories familiar to young children. Program choices encompasses all major curriculum areas including math, science and nature, social studies, geography, reading, art, music, writing, computer skills, and reference.
With help from the Califa Library Group, the new AWE system will be provided to the Paso Robles City Library for $500. This is a discount of approximately $2850 from the usual price of the AWE bilingual system.
The Califa Library Group is a non-profit membership cooperative serving libraries and information organizations throughout California.
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