Information Overload is the Devil

Information Information Overload is the DevilOverload is the Devil

Sarah Houghton-JanDigital Futures Manager for the San Jose Public Libraryauthor of LibrarianInBlack.net

This presentation will be at LibrarianInBlack.net

What does “Information What does “Information Overload” mean to you?Overload” mean to you?

““We have become far more We have become far more proficient in generating proficient in generating

information than we are in information than we are in managing it, and we have also managing it, and we have also

built technology that easily allows built technology that easily allows us to create new information us to create new information without human intervention.” without human intervention.”

~Jonathan B. Spira ~Jonathan B. Spira

““In an online world of small pieces In an online world of small pieces loosely joined, librarians are among loosely joined, librarians are among the most well qualified and highly the most well qualified and highly

motivated joiners of those pieces.” motivated joiners of those pieces.”

~ John Udell – “Remixing the Library”~ John Udell – “Remixing the Library”

Top 5 Barriers to Dealing with Top 5 Barriers to Dealing with Information OverloadInformation Overload

1) Lack of time (or perceived lack)2) Lack of interest or motivation3) Not encouraged/threatened by

management4) Not knowing where to start

5) Frustration with past attempts

10 Tips for 10 Tips for Dealing with Dealing with Information Information OverloadOverload

#1: General #1: General Organizational Organizational

TechniquesTechniques

Inventory your inputs

Inventory your devices

Think before sending/subscribing

Schedule yourself (including unscheduled work and tasks)

Use downtime

Stay neat

Keep a master waiting list

#2: Filter Your Input#2: Filter Your Input

Weed, weed, and weed again

Teach others communication etiquette (and stick to it)

Schedule unplugged times

Unplug at will

#3: RSS & Twitter #3: RSS & Twitter Overload Overload

TechniquesTechniques

Limit your feeds and following

Use lists to organize feeds & Twitter friends

Use RSS when applicable

Use RSS to send you reminders

#4: Interruptive #4: Interruptive Technology Overload Technology Overload

TechniquesTechniques

Phones, text messaging, IM, Twitter

Use these technologies when appropriate

Check when you want to

Don't interrupt yourself

Use your status message

Lobby for IM or Twitter at work

#5: Phone Overload #5: Phone Overload TechniquesTechniques

Use the phone when appropriate

Turn it off

Keep your number private

Let it ring

Work = work, home=home

#6: Email Overload #6: Email Overload TechniquesTechniques

Stop “Doing Email”Start scheduling email scanning timeUse email when appropriateDeal with email by subjectKeep your inbox nearly emptyFilter your messagesLimit listservsFollow good email etiquetteDelete and archiveWork=work, home=home

#7: Print Media #7: Print Media Overload Overload

TechniquesTechniques

Just because you can touch it, doesn't mean you should keep it

Cancel, cancel, cancel (CatalogChoice.org)

Weed what you do have

#8: Multimedia #8: Multimedia Overload Overload

TechniquesTechniques

Choose entertainment thoughtfully

Limit television viewing

Schedule entertainment time

Use your commute to your benefit

#9: Social #9: Social Networking Networking Overload Overload

TechniquesTechniques

Schedule time on your networks

Pick a primary network and point other sites toward it

Limit your “in-network IM”

#10: Time and #10: Time and Stress ManagementStress Management

Use your calendar (!)

Take breaks

Eliminate stressful interruptions

Look for software help

Balance your life and work to your own liking, not your boss's or spouse's

Further ResourcesFurther Resources

“Being Wired or Being Tired: 10 Ways to Cope with Information Overload” by Sarah Houghton-Jan (from Ariadne)

"How to Stop Your Inbox Exploding" by Cory Doctorow

Information Overload: We Have Met the Enemy and He Is Us by Jonathan B. Spira

Questions?Questions?

Sarah Houghton-JanSarah Houghton-Janweb: www.LibrarianInBlack.netIM: LibrarianInBlackSkype: LibrairanInBlackFacebook: facebook.com/librarianinblackTwitter: twitter.com/TheLiBemail: LibrarianInBlack@gmail.com