Making Time For Paper Work

  Every day when you are at work, include   time to complete paper work and file away what is completed.  My routine is simple but it works for me.  In the morning before opening, I  do emails and  complete paper work that needs to be done.   I take out folders for the projects, or tasks that I will be working on today. It is a good time to do it because I do not have  a lot of interruptions .   I also make important phone calls that can not wait til later.

  Right before we start our lunch coverage I also  clean up my desk, file papers that need to be filed away, and  complete other paper type work , so that when I come back from lunch I have a clean desk. I will make any phone calls or emails needed  , and check emails again  to see if anything is pressing.

  Again before I get ready to go home, I will complete  what ever I can, place papers in file folders if I am still working on a project ,  file anything that is completed, and  clean up my desk.

  Obviously if I have a pressing task that requires more action , I will take a morning , or a good portion of the morning and just work on paper work. This applies when I have reports, inventories, or other  items that need to be completed

Using your Bulletin Board to Organize your time

      Use your bulletin board to help you become more organized in the New Year.( And if you don't have one, have the space for one, get one, especially if you are a visual person!)

      But don't just put up notes and leave them there until the paper falls apart.  The bulletin board should be used for Visual reminders.  So for items you use frequently it is a good way to store and then grab when needed- zips codes, phone numbers,  questions that need to be asked of your director or administrator.)

      Also the bulletin board is a good place for current projects. List the date, when the project is due, a description , and  steps to take- this depends on how organized you like to  be.

     If you have dead lines / due dates every month, the bulletin board can also serve as a tickler file to remind you of what needs to be and when it needs to be handed in.
     Using a bulletin board  will help , but only  if  you USE it! That means looking at it at least daily, and maybe even once in the Am and then once in the PM.
    As always , at least once a month,  clear off unwanted and finished items.

     How do you use a bulletin board by your desk? Any more ideas?   Give me an idea  in the comment section below!

My Book Search Favorites- Book giveaway- Part 2

   Here are some more sources that I use for checking out new books! 

  1) NPR- (National Public Radio) I can listen to NPR on the radio on the way to work. But usually I check out their website to get book recommendations . On their main site towards the bottom of the page there is a link to NPR Books.  They have guides to this years greatest reads, author interviews, book reviews,  and bestseller links.  I really like the lists and reviews  because they help me keep up to date on the best.

2) Barnes and Noble  is another great source to help  keep me up with the best and newest books.
While it may not be as compressive as Amazon , it is easy to use and has very descriptive reviews.

3) New York Times book review section-  it is a nice Sunday ritual to read the NY times  book reviews  and their best seller lists. Again it is an easy way for me to keep up to date.  I also like having most of the  top titles in our library. It shows that we can be current !

 Tell me  what your favorites are and  you will be entered into a drawing for a FREE Link to my "The Organized Librarian"  e book!

Epic Reads. Com- Ya site book reviews

  Epicreads.com is a site for Ya readers ( and their librarians)  The site is owned by Harper Collins Publishing but  does not have only their works.
   The site has a real hip look that teens will be attracted to.  Check it out!  Teens and librarians can find the newest  and best teen/ Ya books , connect with authors , and meet other teens  to share reading interests. Check on the covers of the new books to see reviews and comments.
  There are also Youtube videos of book trailers and comments about books.   There are also polls, quizzes about books and Ya genres, a blog with articles on authors, and other related Ya topics. Also you will find contests and sweepstakes, review of new releases and coming  soon titles.  Another great link is teen author with bios and photos, and some video chats.
  In the right hand column you will find links to activities and features members . Introduce this to your teen readers and let them explore.

Happy Holiday's

 I'm taking a little break ,  enjoying the family dinners and activity's .  I hope everyone is having great holidays.  I want to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.    My work schedule is varied last week and this week, so I am doing the home thing many days and am enjoying  down time. 

Into the Hall of Books.com- Book review site

Into the Hall of Books is a book site written by Ashely.  Ashley likes to read and does reviews of a mix of genres and categories,  She does Ya, adult fiction , middle grade fiction, contemporary, historical fiction, science fiction, dystopian and Christian fiction,.

  Across the top of the page are some links to click on ( review, books read in 2014, recently re -read, and policies)  In the right hand column are images of the covers of the two books she has been currently reading and rereading.
  Ashley's reviews are detailed but will not give away the ending . She tells you what she thinks  about the book and gives a great summary. She also has ideas at the end of the review on who she thinks the book would appeal to.

Blizzard Book Review

  This is a story written  and illustrated by John Rocco  of his adventure's during the blizzard of 1978.  He grew up in Rhode Island  .  Almost 40 inches of snow feel during that storm. They couldn't get out of the front door so they went out the window instead,  The family played outside  and then went inside to have hot coca made with milk and a warm toasty fire.   They were waiting for the snow plow to clear the road.

 On the third day, Johns dad shoved out the driving way while still waiting for the snowplow.  John and his sister dug tunnels in the snow.  Things inside got bed.  Their food started to run . And they couldn't walk i n such high snow.

  John realized he needed to do something, He made snow shoes out of tennis rackets and then a list of necessities to get from the store.  Then he set out.( He took his sled!

Along the way, he checked in  with the neighbors to see what they needed, helped build a snow man , and climbed a tree to see what was going on . Finally he made it to the store and got all the things everyone needed.
 Then he hurried to go back towards home before it got dark. He dropped off all the items he got for his neighbors.  And of course the next morning the snow plow came and cleared the streets.

 A great winter read with John's famous illustrations, Students will enjoy the story , and then be prompted to tell their winter storm stories.

/http://roccoart.com/