Handling Handling Information OverloadInformation Overload

Sarah Houghton-Jan, MA, MLIS

Digital Futures Manager for the San Jose Public Library

author 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

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

Time (perceived time) Lack of interest or motivation Not encouraged by management Not knowing where to start 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 inputInventory your devicesStudy the topicThink before sending somethingSchedule yourself (including unscheduled

work and tasks)

Use downtimeStay neatKeep a master waiting list

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

Weed, weed, and weed againTeach others communication

etiquette (and stick to it)Schedule unplugged timesUnplug at will

#3: RSS Overload #3: RSS Overload TechniquesTechniques

Use RSS when applicableUse RSS to send you remindersLimit your feedsOrganize your feeds

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

TechniquesTechniques

Phones, text messaging, IM, TwitterUse these technologies when

appropriateCheck when you want toDon't interrupt yourselfUse your status message wellLobby for IM in the workplace

#5: Phone Overload #5: Phone Overload TechniquesTechniques

Use the phone when appropriateTurn it offKeep your number privateLet it ringWork = work, home=home

#1: Email Overload #1: 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 thoughtfullyLimit television viewingSchedule entertainment timeUse your commute to your benefit

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

TechniquesTechniques

Schedule time on your networksPick a primary network and point

other sites toward itLimit your “in-network IM”

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

Use your calendar (!)Take breaksEliminate stressful interruptionsLook for software helpBalance 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-Janemail: LibrarianInBlack@gmail.comemail: LibrarianInBlack@gmail.comim: LibrarianInBlackim: LibrarianInBlackweb: web: www.LibrarianInBlack.netwww.LibrarianInBlack.netSkype: LibrairanInBlackSkype: LibrairanInBlackFacebook: facebook.com/librarianinblackFacebook: facebook.com/librarianinblack