Eisenhower High School has added 750 new books to its shelves this year, which librarian Ashley Romero attributes to one thing: students are checking out more books since a new state law banning cellphones in schools went into effect. State Senate Bill 139 prohibits students from using personal electronic devices from “bell to bell,” meaning from the beginning of the instructional day to the end of the instructional day.
Romero isn’t the only one who has noticed a change. Lori Manning and Amanda Benke, library media specialists at MacArthur High School and Lawton High School, respectively, agree about the effect of the cellphone ban. All three have statistics to back up their theory. Book checkouts for the fall semester are up 74 percent at MacArthur High School, 72 percent at Lawton High and 103 percent at Eisenhower High School.
“My assumption is because they don’t have their cellphones,” said Benke, who was “very excited” when the no cellphone policy was announced. “I almost saw relief. I was prepared for kids going through tech withdrawal.”
“I’m not sure they know what to do with their down time in school. They think ‘I’m here anyway, I might as well get a book,’” said Manning, adding that some students have not checked out a library book since elementary school. “Reading stamina is a big buzz word right now. Our attention spans were so short, now we are building that back up.”
“Their down time used to be filled with streaming time. They need something tangible to hold in their hands. Books help clear out the clutter. I think literature has and always will provide an escape,” Romero said.
Manning said about 99 percent of the students who use the MHS library are reading for pleasure, causing her to be “more on top of my game” with recommendations on what is popular.
“In the past, I purchased a variety of titles. Now I’m buying multiple copies of something. I want kids to have books in their hands,” Manning said. “I’m finding out their tastes; mysteries are popular. Kids are even checking out nonfiction.”
Benke said she also tries to keep her collection current.
“I try to keep books kids want to read. They love fantasy, mystery and suspense. Kids want something to grab their interest from the beginning,” Benke said, adding that she has noticed a lot of students have their own personal books and notes that two new bookstores have opened in Lawton recently.
Romero concurs, observing that “reading is really trendy right now. I think they see a lot of themselves in the books.”
Romero said most students are reading for pleasure, with graphic novels and anime novels popular because there is less text on a page. She said the horror and mystery section is popular, along with true crime, thrillers and suspense.
The three also attribute the increase in library usage to recent makeovers the libraries underwent. Last year, all three were remodeled courtesy of $20,000 grants from the State Department of Education.
“I think the grant helped create the culture I wanted to create here,” Romero said of a library that offers a variety of activities for students, including jigsaw puzzles, games, and arts and crafts projects.
Manning said students are flocking to the library like never before due to more passive programming and arts and crafts projects, including beading.
“Beads are a great stress reliever,” she said. “It is a relief to come in here and make a bracelet. I think TikTok has helped make beads popular. They come in and ask for things they have seen on TikTok.”
Besides physical improvements, the three librarians also have embraced a new philosophy of libraries as learning common areas. Benke said learning commons are places to enjoy more than just books; they are places to enjoy the space and socialize. The library offers something to keep them occupied when they have free time. She said a group of students meets in the library every morning to socialize before they go about their day. She described the library as “a break for them from the chaos of the rest of the school.”
The librarians are not the only ones who have noticed a change in library use.
“A lot more kids just sit and talk,” said Lily Wyatt, an intern at the EHS library.
Raymond Mackey, library intern at MHS, said he finds the library a relaxing place.
“They always try to help you find something you would be interested in,” he said.
Alyse Monroe, Lawton High School senior, said she enjoys reading graphic novels and suspense books for pleasure and sometimes plays chess in the library. But what really attracts her to the library is “all the books”.
Did the cellphone ban contribute to more reading?
“Yeah, probably a little bit,” Mackey said.
The increase in book checkouts is a trend Benke, Romero and Manning hope continues.
“I hope we never allow cellphones back,” Manning said. “They talk about books to each other. They talk to each other, they play games, they do puzzles,” adding some kids have never worked a jigsaw puzzle.
“They are settling into the fact it feels good to read,” she said.