In my final blog (yay), I will be discussing how libraries
could make use of online applications and productivity tools for front-of-house
services and behind-the-scenes work.
Libraries could definitely incorporate online applications
and productivity tools within their front-of-house services. I myself have seen
Microsoft Outlook calendars used to organise staff for many activities: desk
shifts, storytime services, computer classes, money, who’s on holidays or
starting late to work late etc. Another great benefit of that is that it can be
seen by all staff on their computers as well as in daily, weekly or monthly
calendars. Using Microsoft Outlook to organise staff means that instead of
running around a library looking for somebody, you could first check Outlook
and confirm that they are starting late or at another branch.
However, I do think that many people organise themselves in
different ways and as much as it would be easy for everyone to enter details in
Microsoft Outlook, it isn’t always going to work for everyone. And just because
someone doesn’t enter what they’re doing into Outlook doesn’t necessarily mean
they aren’t being productive. However, as long as the important activities such
as desk shifts and computer classes et are clearly entered with the appropriate
staff member listed, it does still contribute to smooth front-of-house
operations.
If various online apps could sync in with a general one for
all staff it could be of use to a library manager as then it could potentially
allow for more staff members to find an app which suits them personally and
could encourage to use it more. Human infallibility though, not everyone is
interested in recording everything into an app or tool.
I have found Outlook as it syncs with my mobile phone to be
of incredible use to me. I have all my assignments listed as a to-do which I
can see on my phone and quickly work out if something is overdue. I find it a
good motivation to mark a task as ‘done’ and feel the stress slide away.
Hopefully I will continue to use this time management and organisational tool
in my future employment.
Nice post, Susan. I've found Outlook to be an indispensable part of my professional life. With the added stress of undertaking a Masters, it really helps to have those timely reminders of important events (like remembering to go to work). We use Outlook here at the QUT Library, and I honestly can't imagine how we'd get by without it.
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