Thursday 7 March 2013

Tips for down sizing a library

Having recently been given the task of downsizing a library, here are my tips for such an activity

  1. Think about you audience, has the library collected resources, but not actually removed any. That way you end up keeping a great archive to the way the library use to be and fight to get space for the way the library needs to be.
  2. If in an academic setting, could some the less well used magazine and journals be passed on to the academics. Keeping the last few years in the library, the most relevant stock for all.
  3. Are all the annual subscriptions relevant, are all the online resources used as much as they could be, are all the magazine subscriptions needed?
  4. Have a book sale, that way the library users could buy items that they want, generating income to the library and freeing up space for new stock. 
  5. Which physical resources can be converted into online resources
  6. Invest in an Ebook platform or Ebook devices, or better still both. 
  7. Look at the room, could the shelving be altered to create niche shelving, under windows, maximizing the actually floor space.

Reducing Stress in the workplace

Personally I've always believed stress can be caused by different things, for those niggling irritations, I always find physically leaving the situation, finding a friend to speak to and having a laugh is a good idea. Sitting in the place which is irritating you will only make the situation worse.

If it is because someone has said something, a common problem, rationalize, and remember- it's not personal, something may have happened to them just before speaking to you. Plus don't sweat the small stuff!

If it ongoing and starting to grate on your nerves, have  photo next you your desk of  the reason why you are working so hard, your family, your house- either way that should help. Plus remember, you can't change someone else's attitude but you can change your behavior to how you react to the situation.