photo credit: Jem Yoshioka on Flickr
The Mindful Multitasker : How Pocket (Formerly Read It Later) Can Help You Stay Focused
photo credit: cseeman on Flickr
As Librarians, we are in the business of information seeking which can be both enjoyable and overwhelming. How many times have you been searching for information on X and come across an interesting article on Y? It is very tempting to start reading the article on Y (which is much more interesting than information on X). I have to confess this happens to me far more than I would like to admit. Current research tells us that multitasking makes us less productive and easily distracted and I could not agree more. This is something I have currently been working on through the practice of Mindfulness. I’m still a newbie to the practice and often still get sidetracked but I think I’m able to concentrate on one task for a longer period of time.
So how does an app fit into this? Pocket (Formerly Read It Later) allows you to save interesting items that you may have inadvertently come across to read at a later time. Pocket is available for your computer or mobile device and content saved on one device is viewable in another. I now no longer have to be distracted by a personal (and juicy) email, a funny animal video from Cute Overload, or any other thing that may have come my way while I was trying to mindfully look for information on X.
Shout Outs
photo credit: Carol Browne on Flickr
Although I have not been posting to this blog for 5 years, I have still kept up with whats hot in the library world by reading several library blogs. Here are a few of my current favorites:
I don’t remember how I came across this blog but it has become one of my favorites. The author, Lane Wilkinson, is a Reference and Instruction Librarian at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He comes from a Philosophy background, which immediately piqued my interest. His posts are always interesting, well-written, and often fun.
In the Library with the Lead Pipe
I think every library professional should be reading this blog. The posts come from a group of librarians working in various types of libraries across the country. In addition to the permanent bloggers, they frequently have posts from guest authors. These posts are well-researched and relevant. A few of my recent favorite posts are: From the Frying Pan into the Fire (and Back Again): Adventures in Subject-Based, Credit Instruction, Q&A: Lead Pipe on Professional Development – the authors give their responses to questions like: “Which activities do you feel have been the most beneficial for your professional development?
I think I came across this blog via the Sense & Reference Blogroll. I particularly like this blog because the author frequently posts about Information Literacy and Instruction which is where I would like to focus my career. Again, extremely well-written and insightful.
I skim this site everyday for the “fun” stuff. Here you can find library-related news stories from all over the world. From the scandalous to the ridiculous.
3 new sites I’ve been going to lately are: INALJ (I Need a Library Job), Hiring Librarians, and Open Cover Letters. Yes, there is a theme here. INALJ has a huge digest of library jobs from across the country but that isn’t the reason I like to visit this site. I really enjoy reading the “…In Six” columns. Six questions are asked of people who successfully found a library job. I find these stories especially inspiring and have gotten ideas on how to build up a resume and on the importance of networking. Hiring Librarians gets inside the mind of Hiring Managers. The same survey questions are asked of Hiring Managers from different institutions both large and small. The Q&A is posted along with a description of the type and size of the institution the Hiring Manager works for. Open Cover Letters is just that. People submit their “winning” cover letters (some information redacted) for library jobs they were actually hired for. This has been a great source of inspiration for getting past Blank Page Syndrome.
Under Construction
I realize I have not posted to this blog in 5 years. Wow, I had such enthusiasm when I first started it. What happened? Here are my top reasons (excuses) for neglecting my blog:
- I gave birth to 2 kids in the past few years
- I got mired down in the day to day tasks of work
- I became complacent
Its hard to admit but I really just became too comfortable with what I was doing at work to have the drive to continue posting. I still read other library blogs and journal articles but just haven’t found the post-MLS drive to post my thoughts… Until now!
I am making a vow to post at least once a week and include a “Wordless Wednesday” post.
Librarian With Glasses 
