06/01/2026
Please do the survey
This new national survey effort will examine how cellphone restrictions are reshaping reading, school library use, and student engagement, and why it matters for funding school libraries.
The EveryLibrary Institute launched a national survey of school librarians and library media specialists to better understand how cellphone restrictions in schools are influencing reading, library use, and engagement during the 2025–2026 school year.
As more states and school districts adopt policies that limit or eliminate student cellphone use, early reports from schools suggest a shift is underway. Librarians are observing increased interest in reading, more students spending time in the library during lunch and free periods, and growing participation in programs such as book clubs, games, and collaborative learning activities.
However, these observations remain largely anecdotal. Without clear, consistent data, they are difficult to translate into the funding and policy decisions that shape the future of school libraries.
This new survey, “Cellphone Free Schools Policy Impacts and Effects on School Library Circulation and Engagement”, is designed to fill that gap.