Twelve Tips to Organize Everything but the Meeting Space!

Patti Owen-DeLay, right-hand assistant for Jamie LaRue at Doublas County Libraries, gamely mustered-on in the face of crowded spaces and open places.

Who knew that the topic of Organization would pull one of the largest attendances at the 11 am time slot while being assigned to the smallest "tent" in the Composer Meeting Rooms. If you weren't there or haven't been to the Composer Meeting Rooms yet, be prepared to experience something from the Arabian Nights. Water is provided, but no hearing enhancement devices for those in tents located next to presentations by children's librarians or former opera singers. Fortunately, our presenter did not let this hamper her delivery or material. She rode with the flow.

Patti, a recovering anal organizer, encouraged us to start small, be kind to ourselves and make organization FUN! She uses color, cool tools and daily habits to filter, file, fix annoyances, shred and toss.

One tip that I especially liked was keeping file folders in synch on both physical and electronic systems. Using an ACTION folder in both physical and cyberspace means you know where to look in either situation. Most importantly, reviewing the ACTION folder each week will ensure quick response times.

For those types (you know who you are) who cannot let go of anything, invite a colleague to serve as your judge while you are the prosecutor. If you can't make a good case for keeping something, OUT it goes!

Organization is like laundry --- it is never done, it is an ongoing task. So, start small, be kind, but perservere. Thanks, Patti, for our 12 Tips and the nudge to get started.