Patricia, We have both in our youth department and it would be difficult for me to choose which device is more popular.  The AWE are wonderful for working with parents or caregivers because the screen is large. They are filled with educational games and often grandparents are more attracted to those computers. The iPads are certainly very popular as well but for different reasons.  We tend to purchase award winning educational apps for the iPads. However, we also have popular apps like Minecraft on them (also educational). The kids enjoy what they find on the iPads, but sometimes I will hear parents say "We have that at home, why don't you play something else?"  For the kids whose parents cannot afford an iPad it is nice for them to have a chance to play some of those games they hear their friends talking about.  We also use the iPads to download electronic books like the short chapter books associated with the Wonder series, Julian's Chapter and Pluto: A Wonder Story. Until those stories were released in print format it gave those kids who don't have access to a device at home a chance to read these short stories. I guess one thing that might help you decide is to consider how much you or your staff want to have to be involved in updating, downloading, trouble shooting, etc.  The AWE are certainly easier in that sense and you don't need an IT department to keep them running.  The iPads are not complicated but do require more time and energy from staff.   I think both the iPad and AWE are GREAT.  You can't go wrong with either choice; start with one and purchase the other next time you have some extra funding.  Good luck! Brenda Dunseth Youth Services Department Head Highland Township Public Library ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patricia Braden" <pbraden@tln.lib.mi.us> To: "michlib-l" <michlib-l@mail2.mcls.org> Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2015 2:51:07 PM Subject: [Michlib-l] IPads vs. AWE computers Hi everyone, We are considering purchasing either iPads or AWE computers in our children's area. Given what you know about library trends and early childhood development, which of these would you recommend and why? Thanks so much for your input! Patty Patty Braden Library Director Romulus Public Library 11121 Wayne Road Romulus, MI 48174 (734) 942-7589 www.romulus.lib.mi.us Serving Romulus and Huron Township _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org http://mail2.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l

I wasn't aware of what AWE computers were...and a quick Google search turned up this blog article...that has a great recommendation for a family center idea: an AWE station next to a regular internet station for parents and kids to "work" side-by-side. Nice! Katy Katy KoskelaMercy High SchoolFarmington Hills, MI 48336kakoskela@mhsmi.orgkakoskela@hotmail.com Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:51:07 -0400 From: pbraden@tln.lib.mi.us To: michlib-l@mail2.mcls.org Subject: [Michlib-l] IPads vs. AWE computers Hi everyone, We are considering purchasing either iPads or AWE computers in our children's area. Given what you know about library trends and early childhood development, which of these would you recommend and why? Thanks so much for your input! Patty Patty BradenLibrary DirectorRomulus Public Library11121 Wayne RoadRomulus, MI 48174(734) 942-7589 www.romulus.lib.mi.us Serving Romulus and Huron Township _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@mcls.org http://mail2.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l