Using your To Do List- Managing your list

     Be reasonable when you are preparing both your master list and your daily to do list.  If your list has items like file files, clean your desk, plan for next week, (month, year), you may become frustrated  and resort to not getting anything accomplished.

    Your list should only contain those tasks and projects that you can truly hope to complete within the given time frame of the list.

  One way to avoid frustration is to identify between routine tasks , activities, and projects. Tasks are small items and jobs are done a regular basis. Projects are a bigger  picture in that they have a desired end goal  in mind.

   Most projects ( if large enough) should be broken down into manageable chunks of activities and tasks.  Lets say your Annual Report is due. Some tasks may be collecting data, organizing photos, compiling information from monthly reports, collecting stats from staff members. Each of the those requirements can be placed on your to do list with a competed by date.

    Make you to do list with some goals/finished projects in mind., You may also have routine tasks / activities and then also steps to one or more projects,  This will keep you on track with your larger projects and you will see each  day and week what you have accomplished in then big picture. 

   Remember , your to do list will help you focus and keep you on track. it is a tool , use it that way.

Good Reads- a great tool for librarians

   Have you seen GoodReads?   It is another 'Social Media '  site for book lovers and librarians.  This can be another useful tool to help librarians and patrons  find more good books to read.   Check it out if you haven't seen this one already!

  Those who are registered can check out what their friends are reading and also get an idea of what to read next. There are also ideas of 'read a likes " that are very helpful.

  Good Reads has a great selection  and you can search and browse by many different genres. There are also trivia  games, quizzes  on books and quotes from authors.

   As a librarian, I love the Good Read Choice awards. I use it when I am preparing book lists for buying what people/ patrons really  want to read.  It is a full website. You can see reviews  and ratings of books which are very helpful.  There is also opportunity to join discussion groups, start a book club, and post your own writing.

   Good Reads helps Patrons track their reading and find good books to read, There are also book give aways  and other prizes.

Managing your To Do List

   Okay, you have your to do list or master list.  Does seeing all those items make you a little uncomfortable?:  Use this tricks then,: Look at the list to see if there are some tasks that will not take a long time to complete ( I call this Batching- see The Organized Librarian)

   Take 15 to 20 minutes to complete theses task. Then you can feel wonderful about crossing them off your list. This can include routine weekly items( return emails, make phone calls, water plants, check recycling, do over due list, mark papers, ect)

   Now if you have some bigger projects - what to do? Date them with a time when they need to be completed.  Another I like to do bigger projects is to a) work with the end in mind and b) break the project into a series of tasks ( again   described in The Organized Librarian).

 In this way I can place several tasks foreach project  on a day when I know I have time to work on it.   Put them on your master list first. Then when each task  and project is done you can cross it off both lists and you are one step further  to completing your project.

  You may also note that some tasks never get done nor crossed off. It never achieves priority, Is is important or urgent? Is it something you think you should do? It is something you think someone should do/ Decide if really belongs on your list- Could it be given to your assistant?  Could it be dropped all together? Could it postponed to a later date?

  Your do do list helps bring order to your schedule. it also helps you focus on what needs to be done- what is important to you and to your position   when you can cross items off you will see  exactly what you have accomplished!

Library Thing

    Do you know Library Thing?  If you don't then it's time to check it out.  Library thing is a cataloging and social network site for book lovers.

   Library Thing can help you do lots of things if you are a book lover. You can enter books you own, books you have read, books you want to read, or create / join a group .

    You can contribute reviews, ratings of books, and add or create tags for books. Participate in members  forums.   Library Thing connects people based on book genres, It is almost like an online book club.

    Library Thing and its members provide recommendations for books.  Type in a titles and you can find  which members have read a book and what they think of it.  If you are ready, you can even go on links and have book conversations.

    If you want to 'talk' there is a page that lists all the groups that cover books or topics you may be interested in, When you talk you can read what others think and also post you what you think about the books or topics.

Booklist online- advisory source and book reviews!

  Another great resource for both readers advisories and book reviews is Booklist online. Yes it is one and the same - from the journal Booklist!   And it is from the experts - ALA! So this site and the  journal itself is a great source for  both public and school librarians looking for  reputable reviews.

   BookListonline is a free website that offers a great selection of the Booklist content.  Plus there are many reviews of recommended reviews. Also included are some of the features written for Booklist online. If you are a subscriber to Booklist- you can obtain even more content.  But even if you are not a subscriber there are many features that are available for you to use. There are many columns, departments, and features available.

     Some things to check out on this site :  Review of the day, links to booklists from certain publishers with certain genres, links to Booklist latest articles( Latest- Editors Choices for 2013), links to blogs  from Booklsit staff and reviewers( Booklist Buzz, & Shelf Renewal ), links to current newsletters,  and links to sign up for Free Webinars!

   So check out  www.booklistonline.com/  to find out some  great content and reviews!

Top 5 Library Blogs of 2013

  2013 has been a good year  for The Organized Librarian. I had time early in the year to really develop some great ideas for school and public libraries.  Now that I am a branch library manager, I am using my searching time to unearth great articles and sites to help me move into the public sector of librarianship. I hope they have helped you also. 

1. Why should Librarians Teach Technology?


2. What Should Libraries Look Like Today?

3. Mystery Websites for October

4.Organizing Workspaces at your Library

5. Routines at the Public Library


 

Happy Holidays!

 I would like to wish everyone a Happy Holiday and  a Merry Christmas.! Enjoy your time off and your family and friends!
   I will be back posting after a short break- Probably at the start of the New Year!
 

The Value of lists! ( Master Lists )

       I find that Master lists ( of to do's ) and Daily lists help me greatly in getting  task and activities done on a daily and weekly basis.    I try to keep my lists in sight as I go about my daily routines , whether I am at work or at home.

      The reason I do this is because it really helps me stay organized and focused on what I need to do.  I also use my lists  and prioritize   the tasks on them.   I use a simple  way to tag the activities I must do.

      When  I put lists on paper ( or on the computer- but I feel paper is better for me , because then I can SEE the list) I will delegate a letter- A most important,  B  and C. That's where I stop( as far as letters go)

     Another idea that I like to do with my Master list is to make two columns : one for most important things I NEED to do, and a second column of things I WANT to do.   I also place due dates on items that have a complete by date so I know when I must be done.

    Also on my Master lists I will put do by dates if I have them. This way I can focus on what is most important.
   
     Check out my book The Organized Librarian- click on the link above for ordering instructions.

Internet Resources for Readers Advisories- Ficiotn_L

     There are many Internet  resources for Readers Advisories. As I discover them I will pass along the ones I find are best for both school and public libraries.   Many of the Internet resources are really amazing with the amount of information that they contain.

   FictionL  is found on the Morton Grove Public Library ( Illinois) site.   This is an electronic  mailing list where librarians can ask and answer questions relating to providing readers advisories to patrons.,  It is intended for use by librarians and leaders of book discussions, but anyone can subscribe to it if they want.

   There are many topics that is contained with this link: book discussions, book talks, issues on collection development , book lists, and bibliographies. n   There are many topics discussed here . Some additional items  are audio books, reading clubs, and print and electronic resources.

  Once you get on here , you will find  this a valuable tool. Especially if you have a question about a title, give them a clue and they will come up the title that you are looking for  it with an obscure  item from the book.

  There is an archive   of all Ficiotn_L postings back to the beginning. There is a search form enabling librarians and patrons to search  a topic of interest .   There are book lists  made available for use by librarians and patrons.   You can find lists of : genres, character, setting, subject, author, audience,  and miscellaneous.    I am looking forward to using this my self and also letting my clerks and patrons know how easy it is to use.

 http://www.mgpl.org/read-listen-view/fl/flmenu/

New York Public Library- blog for librarians

    I n looking for blogs for public and school librarians , I happened across  The New York Pubic library's website   http://www.nypl.org, which has a link to quite a few blogs that are done by staff.  Why In have never been on their website is now a wonder to me!  There is so much there to see and explore. I am going to go back and explore some more because I think there is a lot  of information that I can use in my new position as library manager:  book lists,  reviews
   When you get to the site, look at the tabs on the top and click on Explore.  That will give you a drop down box and there you will find the link for the blogs.   You can select posts of channel or subject . Now these have a variety of topics, some will highlight up and coming programs. Many of these programs are past, but you will see what they  had and it may help give you some ideas for your library and your programs.
  The blogs  that are listed are very interesting and helpful, and provide a variety of topics that are educational for both librarians and patrons. The blogs cover a range of topics and are written by experts in their fields ,of which most are employed by the New York Public library.
 http://www.nypl.org/

Readers Advisory- Indirect

   In the last couple of posts, I have talked about Readers Advisory's.  But we can also indirectly advise and advance students and patrons reading .Some patrons and students might actually prefer this indirect way to direct conversations.

    Here are some simple indirect readers advisories;

1. Displays of certain genres- with a slogan "Looking for a Good Book?"

2. Reading Guides( If you liked_____(an author or genre) then try these!) the student or patron can pick it up on their own ad read it with out speaking or asking a librarian or reader's advisor.

3. Annotated Book lists- again the patron can read brief blurbs about books. Our library provides a monthly list of new titles this way.

4. Book Marks- This is another indirect way to show books in a specific genre,

5. Staff recommendations. Display or list what the library staff is currently reading .This makes it way for staff and patrons.

  Where should we have these displays or lists? How about near the entrance of the library , in high traffic areas, at the end of stacks , or other areas where people congregate or meet. This is where patrons and students will see the displays and are more likely to catch a quick book to read. These books on display usually circulate quickly.

 So if you are new to readers advisory, this may be the way to start!

Highly Organized Librarian- Getting Large Projects done!

    One way to become a highly organized librarians is to begin with the end in mind.  Whenever you have a  large project to do which requires a good deal of work , time  and effort  it might be a  good idea to use this technique.

    Start with a clear understanding of what the outcome of the project will be. Think about the inventory done, the book list completed, the  movement of books and shelving,  the final paper or grant project will be.    Then determine how you will get there.

    What is the best way to get the project completed? What steps do you need to take to  accomplish the project.  Think it through.  Then write down the steps you will take..  After writing down the steps , organize the steps in the most logical order.    Make a plan.    Determine what steps you will do and what dates you will do them. Write them in your plan or calendar book.   Figure out what resources or materials you will need to get the project done. Write them into your plan.

   This is system that requires thinking and planning before the actually doing .  Mentally you are preparing the project before you begin the actual work. In this way, if you write down the steps, you have a schedule of the steps and what to do when.  The thinking and list gives you focus on the projects and keeps you on track.

    I use this system which is briefly outlined in The Organized Librarian  Ebook. For details on how to order see  Books to Order tab.

David Lee King- blogs for public & school librarians

   Follow David Lee Kings blog at http://www.davidleeking.com.  David Lee King is the Digital Services Director at Topeka Shawnee County Public Library.
    He is in charge of planning, implementing  the latest technology.  He is  a speaker for many conferences both nationally and internationally  about issues  pertinent to both school and public librarians and teachers.   He is up on all the latest social  and ditigal mediahe plans, implements, and experiments with emerging technology trends. He believes they should be used at the public level to advance the librarians services and  encourage more interest.
     David  writes for many library and technology journals. He was named Library Journal Mover and Shaker for 2008.  His latest book is Face2Face which came out in September.
    I am looking forward to learning more  about using technology at the public level  and I think reading this blog will be most helpful.