5 Effective Time Management Tips to Have as a School Librarian

Do you ever get those questions about whether you’re really that busy all day in the library? I sure do! As we know, librarians are just as busy as classroom teachers. Some days, even more so. Our schedules can be incredibly hectic, with very few breaks and back-to-back classes throughout the day! I’ve been doing this for a long time now, and I’d like to think I’ve learned a thing or two about effective time management over the years in the library. So, today, I’m sharing my top 5 tips to have the best time management skills around.

Why Do School Librarians Need Effective Time Management?

Let’s discuss effective time management for a second. Effective time management is crucial for school librarians because it directly impacts our ability to support our students and teachers. When we manage our time well, we can handle the diverse tasks that come our way, from managing the library collection to assisting with research projects and teaching literacy skills.

Having effective time management skills allows us to be more efficient and productive. This ensures that we can meet the needs of everyone who relies on us. It helps us stay organized and reduces stress. When we are not feeling stressed, we can focus on providing high-quality assistance and a love of reading and learning to our students.

The ability to balance our professional responsibilities with personal well-being also is related to time management. Without it, we risk burnout and the quality of our work can be affected. By managing our time effectively, we can have a strong work-life balance that leaves us excited about work and not dreading it.

I tend to revisit my time management ideas around back to school season every year. It’s the perfect opportunity to establish good habits and set the tone for the rest of the year. But truly, anytime during the year is great to pause and reflect on how our time management is going!

Tips for Effective Time Management

Since we’ve talked about why effective time management is so important for us school librarians, let’s explore some practical tips. Through my time as a school librarian, I’ve picked up a few strategies that have helped me stay on top of things. Here are my top tips to help you master effective time management and make your days run a bit smoother!

1. Start each day with a specific purpose.

One of my go-to strategies for effective time management is to start each day with a specific purpose. I leave myself a note or a list of a couple of things that absolutely must be accomplished first thing that day. Personally, I like to make this list before I leave school the day before. This way, when I arrive at work, I don’t waste any time trying to remember what needs to be done.

I don’t make a list for the whole week, which can get overwhelming. Instead, I simply jot down 2-3 things I want to tackle the next day. This helps me stay ahead of schedule and ensures that I’m always making progress on important tasks. By focusing on a few key items, I can dive right in and make the most of my time from the moment I walk through the door.

2. Use a 5-minute break wisely.

Have 5 minutes to spare during the day? It’s tempting to go chat with another teacher or visit the school secretary, but try making the most of those quick breaks! Over the years I have learned that there is a lot you can get done in just 5-10 minutes. Here are a few things I like to do.

• Jot down a list of supplies or activities I need to prepare for next week’s lessons
• Reflect on what worked well during a lesson and what I might want to change
• Grab a stack of books that need to be reshelved
• Pull books or supplies for a teacher who has made a request

These small chunks of time add up! By using them wisely, you can stay organized and be better prepared for the days ahead. Plus, it helps keep your thoughts and plans fresh, making it easier to adjust and improve your lessons on the fly.

3. Keep the coworker conversations to a minimum.

We all have friends at work. It is super easy to spend 30 minutes a day or more chatting with teachers who pop in throughout the day. Don’t believe me, just do a little test and time yourself every time you stop what you are doing to talk when a teacher comes in. And trust me when I say this is not a problem you have caused – it’s a hazard of the job. While it’s great to stay connected, it’s also important to have effective time management. I’ve found that keeping these “social” conversations short helps. It allows the library to be a welcoming place but also puts in place some boundaries so that you can get your work done too. This approach helps me stay focused and ensures that I’m making the most of my workday.

If you feel like these social visits are getting out of hand, consider a nice email to the staff explaining your predicament. Let them know that you love talking with them, but that your time between classes is precious too. They get it! We’re all in the same boat with endless to-do lists. We’re all educators, and we understand that the to-do list is never-ending in our profession. By keeping our conversations short and sweet, we can stay on track, maintain our productivity, and still enjoy those social connections that make our jobs more enjoyable.

4. Assign tasks to specific days of the week.

Something that has helped me with effective time management and organization, in general, is assigning tasks to specific days of the week. For example, I like to make all of my copies on Tuesdays. It’s my designated copying day, so I don’t have to think about it for the rest of the week. I do all of my lesson planning for grades K-2 on Wednesdays and grades 3-5 on Thursdays. This way, I can focus my energy on one set of tasks at a time and not feel scattered.

Another helpful strategy is to batch similar tasks together and tackle them in one go. These tasks might be ones that need to be taken care of each day. For example, set aside a specific time for answering emails or cataloging new books. This can help you stay focused and make your workflow more efficient.

I use my trusty paper planner to keep track of all this. There’s great satisfaction in crossing off tasks when they’re finished in my planner! It’s like a little victory each time. I also keep track of any meetings and duties in my planner so nothing slips through the cracks. This system has streamlined my workflow and made my weeks run much more smoothly. By assigning specific tasks to certain days, I can stay organized and ensure everything gets done on time.

5. Use older students to your advantage.

If you’re not lucky enough to have a library aide (or even if you are), use older students at your school to your advantage! Since I work in an elementary setting, I like to enlist the help of 4th and 5th graders to tackle various tasks around the library. Their assistance can free up a lot of my time, and they enjoy being helpful.

Some of the tasks I have them help with include reshelving books, cutting out lamination, and even basic book repair, if possible. They’re also great at creating book displays, putting up posters, and decorating the library. Just have the supplies ready for them and watch them get to work. They’ll feel a sense of responsibility and pride. You’ll feel more productive by keeping up with all of these “daily things.”

Effective Time Management Takes Time

As we wrap up, it’s important to remind ourselves that we simply can’t do it all. Prioritizing tasks and doing what we can is key. Don’t beat yourself up over not being able to finish everything. I promise it will be there tomorrow waiting for you. If you use a to-do list, always make it realistic. No sense in creating a superhuman to-do list that only makes you feel bad when you can’t complete it.

Being an educator is demanding, and it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. Remember, we’re all busy and doing the best we can. By incorporating effective time management strategies, we can make our days more manageable and productive. Let’s continue to support each other and make the most of our time. This helps us to provide the best for our students while also taking care of ourselves.

Additional Resources

Looking for more ways to make different processes work efficiently? Check out the following posts, which will help you run your school library smoothly!

• 10 Tips on Classroom Management for Librarians
• Tips & Ideas for a Positive Book Checkout

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Remember to save this post to your favorite school librarian Pinterest board for when you need tips for effective time management!