An expert in solo librarianship and interpersonal networking, Judith Siess, wrote this thought stimulating article for IMPACT! Fall 2005 (the quarterly publication of the Special Libraries Association Leadership & Management Division). She is the President of the One Person Library or OPL (Information Bridges International, Inc.) in the United States. I share my notes below:
- How do a solo librarian “do it all”?
- Develop strategic plan
- Prioritise the tasks
- Work on managing time - Let Go – Don’t be a perfectionist!
- 1) Learn to say no
- Offer alternative
- Don’t weaken no with apology - 2) Question things
- What have I got to lose? - Pareto principle – 80% of work comes from 20% of tasks
- Efficient & Effective – doing the right things right
- Take control of interruptions
- Signs answer “where is?” questions
- Handouts answer “how do I?” questions
- Say “I will be with you in a minute as soon as I finish this task” & make appointment to continue conversation if it takes longer than a minute - Knowing when to work
- 1st two hours of the day is when one is most productive so use them effectively e.g. clear thinking & do not check emails, avoid meetings - Save time before money
- Outsource what you can, especially those things you don’t do well - Logic-based disposal helps filing
- Ask: 1) Does it require action on my part? Yes, action it
2) Does it exist elsewhere? Yes, discard it
3) Is it outdated? Yes, discard it
4) Will I really use it again? Yes, file it
5) Are there tax/legal implications? Yes, file it
6) Can I live with the worst thing that could happen if I don’t have this info? Yes, discard it
7) Does anyone else need this info? Yes, forward it to them
- Never file envelopes unless postmark is significant
- Write a keyword on item/where to file it when you read it
- File items according to How you’ll use it Not where they come from; Judy’s first law of filing: file it back in the 1st place you looked when you spent a lot of time locating it & put pointer to item if for some reason you can’t file it there
