Easthampton High School in Massachusetts faces the potential loss of its librarian following a vote by the school committee to deny a request from librarian Sean Ames for unpaid leave. Ames, who has held the position for four years, announced his intention to resign in protest of the school’s cellphone policy and its impact on student reading habits.
The district currently allows cellphone use outside of instructional time, a policy Ames believes undermines students’ engagement with reading. Massachusetts has seen growing debate over statewide cellphone restrictions in schools, with 22 states and some local districts, including nearby Northampton, enforcing bell-to-bell bans. State lawmakers continue to discuss legislation that would impose a similar ban across Massachusetts.
Easthampton High School serves about 400 students, of whom only 39 percent of 10th graders met reading expectations on the 2025 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), compared to 51 percent statewide. Ames attributes part of the decline in reading engagement to increased cellphone use, noting that many students’ interest in reading diminished around the time they first obtained their phones.
In his letter to superintendent Michelle Balch, Ames requested unpaid leave, citing concerns for his professional well-being and his ability to serve effectively. The school committee’s decision came in a nonpublic session on Tuesday, and while the district has posted the librarian position, Balch did not confirm if it would be filled. She acknowledged the district’s openness to feedback and the ongoing review of its policies.
Literacy advocates expressed concern over the possibility of losing Ames and the broader challenges facing school libraries amid budget constraints. Courtney Andree, executive director of the Massachusetts Center for the Book, highlighted that library positions are often vulnerable during financial downturns. Kelly Link, an Easthampton bookstore owner, described the stakes as "high" given the recent community efforts to prevent deep school budget cuts through a $6.9 million override.
Experts emphasize the evolving role of school librarians in the digital age, not only as promoters of reading but also as guides helping students navigate trusted information sources amid the rise of artificial intelligence. Ames himself adapted the library’s services to engage students by incorporating new young adult titles, social media outreach, and extended hours, recognizing the limited access students had to the library during the school day.
Other librarians in the region offer a mixed perspective. Leslie Skantz-Hodgson of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in Northampton acknowledges the challenges posed by cellphones but argues that students continue to read in different formats, including ebooks and audiobooks, often accessed on mobile devices. She sees libraries as multifunctional spaces essential to student learning and well-being beyond merely lending books.
Parents and former students voiced varied opinions as well. Melissa Weinberger, a parent of a junior at Easthampton, supports stronger restrictions on cellphone use, citing the negative impact on her son’s reading habits. Meanwhile, former students praised Ames for fostering a welcoming environment and promoting reading, capturing student interest through creative social media engagement.
The dispute at Easthampton reflects broader national concerns about declining reading scores and the shifting habits of young readers amid technological distractions. As districts wrestle with policies to address these trends, the role and funding of school libraries remain critical points of discussion.