Document Type
Presentation
Date of Original Version
10-27-2025
Abstract
Library workers often can’t follow the typical productivity advice doled out by productivity experts. In a job that is essentially managing ongoing interruptions with the added bonus of needing to describe what you’ve accomplished to numerous stakeholders, how can you keep track of what you do, what you need to do, and what you need to know? Join this session for some examples of frameworks and connect with others to tame the chaos that is modern library work. Due to the size of this topic, we will poll attendees live in order to choose the topics of greatest interest to the group. Topics to be discussed based on attendee preferences: 1) Distinguishing actions from information, 2) Managing email (and other inputs, such as mailing lists, newsletters, blogs, ALA Connect posts), 3) Time boxing/time blocking, 4) Digital tools for To do list management, 5) Personal knowledge management (PKM), 6) Carving out time for deep work, 7) AI and automation.
Recommended Citation
Brasher, Melanie S. and Izenstark, Amanda K., "Taming the Chaos: Strategies for Streamlining Library Work in an Interruption-Driven World" (2025). Public Services Faculty Presentations. Paper 29.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/lib_ps_presentations/29
Comments
Presentation for the New England Library Association 2025 Conference, Newport, Rhode Island, October 26-28, 2025.