The Easthampton High School librarian, Ames, has stirred debate by requesting unpaid leave, citing concerns over the library's future and the decline in student reading habits. This move comes amidst growing alarm about a national reading recession, with reading scores for 12th graders dropping to their lowest level in over 20 years. In Easthampton, only 39% of 10th graders met reading expectations on MCAS tests in spring 2025, compared with 51% statewide. Ames, who has been a librarian for four years, believes the issue is partly due to increased cellphone use among students. He experimented with various strategies to engage teens in reading, such as ordering popular young-adult titles, posting on social media, and keeping the library open after school. However, he feels the broader issue is systemic, with reading often treated as a checkbox skill rather than a lifelong pleasure. His departure highlights the vulnerability of school libraries, which are sometimes the first to face budget cuts. Literacy advocates argue that librarians are crucial for fostering a love of reading and guiding students in the age of artificial intelligence. Despite the challenges, some librarians, like Skantz-Hodgson, emphasize the multifaceted role of libraries as central hubs for learning, support, and community within schools.
