Pent up demand
This week I went against the official recommendations again. I think it’s more important for students to have books than it is to wait for the “pure and perfect” student database of records. With the difficulties we have every single year and every upgrade with getting our student program to work with the library program, I believe it is harmful to our students to wait to circulate. There is never an estimated time frame for fixing this. Last year we went months without correlations between students and their homerooms so we couldn’t print over dues. Yes, I have to write down some names - at the most 3 per class - during checkout but by simply telling them that they are priviledged to come in and check out early, they appreciate it far more. I believe I’m receiving deposits in the Emotional Bank Account right now. Teachers see me as a team player and willing to go the extra mile to help their classes. My principal is adamant that everyone (staff included) should be reading during D.E.A.R. time and that they need books. He supports me in my misbehavior.
While discussing this with hubby dear, he mentioned that I might like to invoke the pent up demand theory of economics next year and wait one week before checking out books. He tells me this theory means that they will emotionally be so frustrated at having to wait that this will all be pentup and their demand for books will be higher and stay higher. I just scoffed at this idea. My students had to wait 2 days (actually 1.5) and if you could have seen the enthusiasm of the first 4th graders to come in and check out, you would have been sure I was offering prizes. I guess I am. Reading is a treasured activity at our school and the students know that this is “their library.” Woe to administrators that try to slow us down.
Thank you for demonstrating your enthusiasm for getting circulation started right off the bat. It has been a long summer of not visiting your library and if that doesn’t build up a pent up demand a few more days certainly doesn’t!
Comment by Bob VanDerWege — September 5, 2006 @ 9:56 pm