Student voice is important to me. I love to find opportunities where students’ voices are listened to, and even more than that, acted upon. Recently, during a student book budget meeting, we met with Jim Boon from Capstone. Jim always listens to students and makes sure they have what they need in order to purchase books for the library. He lets them guide the conversation and answers any questions they have rather than pushing certain titles that they aren’t interested in.
During his recent visit, he gave students posters at the end as a thank you, and Adaline, a 5th grade student book budget member, asked if there were ever any World War I posters. Rather than just saying “no”, Jim listened to her reasoning that war and military books are popular in our school and that she had a personal interest in them herself. He suggested that she send an email to Amy Cox, Capstone Library Marketing Manager.
Adaline immediately crafted an email to Amy, and the conversation began. Not only did Amy respond to Adaline, she also asked her follow-up questions and genuinely wanted to know the answers. In the busy world of businesses, this kind of personal interaction says a lot to me about the vision and mission of a company. Capstone isn’t just about selling books. They are community and customer focused and want to listen to the very people who they are trying to support.
Here’s how the conversation started:
Dear Amy Cox,When Jim Boone came to my schools “Book Budget” we got posters with hedgehogs on them. While I was looking at the poster I had an idea! Since I like to read about World War 2 maybe you could make a World War 2 poster! If you take this into consideration please email Mr.Plemmons so he can tell me! Thank You!From,Adaline
Dear Adaline,
We would be very happy to consider a poster with a World War II theme. When we make a poster, we try to have it do one of two things:
1) They feature a specific series of books that we think students would like to know about so that they can read them, or
2) Like the hedgehog posters, they don’t talk about a specific book but rather try to show how much fun it is to find something you like to read
Do you have any thoughts about which direction we should take for a World War II poster? I’m always happy to hear ideas from other people. When everyone shares ideas, the final project always turns out so much better.
I was so proud of Adaline continuing the conversation in addition to all of her other school responsibilities.
Dear Amy Cox,I think the books that the poster could be about could be the series Heroes of World War 2 ! I think that the poster should have something related to the Nazis or maybe even Anne Frank! And yes I have seen the new graphic novels! They look amazing!Adaline
Dear Adaline,
Thank you for your response. I’m so happy that you like the Heroes of World War II books. I think those stories are fascinating.
The idea of World War II heroes got us thinking here at Capstone—perhaps in a different direction than you would expect, but that is the fun of brainstorming, right? Give us several days and we’ll see if we can come up with something interesting. Can you search your library catalog and see if you already have this book? It has a tiny clue about our idea!
Finally, Amy let us know to expect something in the mail. When the box arrived, I couldn’t wait to see what was inside. To my surprise, Amy had sent 3 custom signs that incorporated history as well as the mission of the student book budget group to get the right books in student hands.
I immediately sent a note down to Adaline so that she could come up and see how Capstone had listened to her ideas and given us something completely based upon her request. She was all smiles. I also loved that her grandmother was here to celebrate the moment with her. Even though she might not want the attention, I think it’s important to celebrate this moment. Now her efforts will be on display as our student book budget books arrive. These signs will be a part of our student book budget display.
This is not the first time that Capstone has reached out and supported a specific student. Last year, Amy supported Ajacea in her marketing interests.
I hope other students will see this as an opportunity to speak up and make their voices heard when they have an idea, and I hope educators and companies will see this as an opportunity to amplify student voice and make a difference in our world no matter how small.
Thank you Amy Cox and Capstone for always supporting the student book budget project and always listening to (and acting upon) the voices of students.
Expect the Miraculous 
That is amazing! So glad to see a company that listens!
We work with some amazing companies, and my favorites are always the ones who listen to students.