I’ve already written about and given a few talks on workflow including some of the ideas and methods that directly came out of my work, but I still haven’t written about the actual changes we made and how they were implemented. While we may be getting less of it compared to years ago, the library still processes and catalogues thousands of physical items a year. I’m not sure how systematically the workflow had ever really been reviewed, so I wanted to make sure to take a holistic approach including everyone in the department as well as some work happening outside of it. Continue reading “Implementing a Revised Workflow: Physical Materials in Technical Services”
Tag: workflow
Technical Services: Rationale and Benefits of a Workflow Review
I have been doing a bunch of work in reviewing workflows and implementing new or changes to existing workflows, especially in Technical Services. In the process, I have been asked not only about the process I went through, but the rationale and value in doing such an exercise, especially for organizations where most Technical Services work has been outsourced. So just thought I’d jot down some thoughts. Continue reading “Technical Services: Rationale and Benefits of a Workflow Review”
Reviewing and Improving Workflow and Productivity: Methods and Tools
Most of our libraries and organizations have been around for numerous years, sometimes hundreds. Often that means many processes are created, changed as needed, and left in place long past their due date. Unfortunately, that means we are frequently working inefficiently, following old processes or cobbled together workflows.
The first part of the presentation will suggest methods for understanding and reviewing workflow. In the second half, we will take a look at various simple and lightweight tools and ways to use them to make work more efficient, especially in processing text, files, and data in batches.
Originally titled Tools, Tips, and Tricks to Making Work More Efficient. This webinar was presented for Florida Library Webinars on March 8, 2017. https://floridalibrarywebinars.org/events/16003/ Continue reading “Reviewing and Improving Workflow and Productivity: Methods and Tools”
Code4libBC Presentation: Getting Things Done: Discovering Efficiencies in Workflow
This lightning talk was presented at Code4lib BC 2016.
For a copy of the slides, please see the presentation on SpeakerDeck (also below) or the version on GitHub.
Continue reading “Code4libBC Presentation: Getting Things Done: Discovering Efficiencies in Workflow”
Guide Rework Part 3: Deciding on Accessible Formats
Quite a while ago now, I wrote about the formats guide we have, thoughts on why they need to be changed, and my idea on how to revise it. Continue reading “Guide Rework Part 3: Deciding on Accessible Formats”