The official first day of spring is less than two weeks away on Sunday, March 20, and we here at AACPL are gearing up for a happy, healthy springtime -- especially as the COVID risk continues to decrease.
In the spirit of spring cleaning, many of our library locations are getting their carpets replaced and we are refreshing our collections and our displays.
Indeed, if there's anyone who loves the process of getting everything cleaned and organized, it's a librarian! We asked our fantastic staff about their favorite organizing tips and they gladly shared their wisdom:
- "Just a general cleaning tip - when cooking, clean as you go. It keeps the pan and utensil count down as you cook. Nothing is worse than having a great meal and then a kitchen full of dirty dishes!" (Robin, Busch Annapolis Library)
- "I would say that Spring is the season of decluttering! There are so many books I could recommend on the subject such as anything by Marie Kondo or Dana K. White, and also The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter by Margareta Magnusson." (Catherine, Crofton Library)
- "My kitchen cabinets are much taller than me, so I try to keep all the stuff that I use regularly on the bottom shelf which I can reach! And then stuff that I don't use as often while cooking or things I want to eat less of, I make my husband put on the top shelf of the cabinet so I have to get a stool to stand on if I really, really want them. Also, as far as clothing goes, if I haven't worn it in a year, that usually means I'm not going to wear it anytime soon and it's time to donate. Same with books - if I know I'm not going to reread it, and it doesn't hold any other significant meaning (like a gift from a friend) then I'm going to pass it on to its next home." (Megan, Linthicum Library)
- "Three piles/guides: KEEP, DONATE, RECYCLE/TRASH." (Lorelei, Glen Burnie Library)
- "As someone who struggles with being overwhelmed/ their brain moving faster than their body: I set timers a lot. It's better to clean a little, for a short period of time, than not at all. Or I make a game of things - wash 10 dishes before doing something else, fold and put away 10 items of clothing, etc." (Veronica, Mountain Road Library)
- "Based on Marie Kondo's method, taking everything and putting it all in front you at once by category rather than by location. See what you actually need and don't. Also, I ALWAYS listen to music while cleaning. It keeps me focused and makes the tedious tasks more bearable." (Christine, Edgewater)
- "For general household storage I try to use clear containers with hinged lids whenever possible, and keep a few extra for transitions or projects. I keep boxes of parchment paper, aluminum foil, etc. in a magazine file box. Same goes for coloring books! Reusable grocery bags go inside a big, insulated bag that stays in the trunk so they're always on hand for a trip. Keep a cardboard box in kids' rooms to collect outgrown clothes over a period of time; find someone you can regularly pass them to." (Allison, Library Headquarters)
-
"Get rid of your personal library and only use library books (or, keep a very small personal library with favorites that is easy to maintain). Keep everything visible so you remember you have it and actually use it. Get rid of it if you haven't used it in a year applies to many things, not just clothes! Check your condiments and get rid of anything expired. You don't need to hang onto that last little bit of ketchup." (KT, Brooklyn Park Library)
-
"Pro Tip: Just because something looks good on Instagram doesn't mean it has to fit your lifestyle. Try pressing pause before buying anything new and decide where you really want to put your time and energy. There's no need to decant everything into pretty jars, keep produce in specially labeled containers, or throw out everything you own and start over. Being organized looks different for everyone and you should do what makes you happy even if it's not picture perfect." (Kelly, Glen Burnie Library)
-
"Turn all the hangers of your clothes backwards and once you wear an item, hang it back up normally. Then, at the end of the season/year, anything that is still backwards is what you haven't worn. Easy way to start culling your wardrobe. Also, if you are going to clean anything out - a pantry, a closet, a drawer - I recommend pulling it ALL out and then putting back what you really want. I find I end up getting rid of more unneeded/expired things that way than if I try to pull out just the things I think I don't want." (Jennifer, Broadneck Library)
-
"When you're tidying/decluttering, have an "I can't decide/I don't know/misc" pile. It lets you go through and take care of the things where you do know quickly, without agonizing over the ones where you really don't. When you get to where most of what you look at is going in "I don't know" it means you've got decision fatigue and you're done for the day. Push everything into the "I don't know" pile, put it into a nice bag or neat box out of the way, and tackle it first next time. Also, if you have trouble staying focused, getting motivated, or keeping up your energy, get yourself an audience. Livetweet or liveblog or get on a Zoom call with your sister or just text a very patient friend every two minutes about the horrible thing you found under the couch or how many spare pens there are or whatever. It gives you some accountability, gives you automatic mini-breaks, and when you're done you have proof that you did in fact do a lot, even if it doesn't feel like it when you look at what's left." (Sara, Severn Library)
-
"Schedule monthly get-togethers at your home. When you don't have people over for six months it can be easy to let things pile up and get overwhelming. When you know people are coming over every month, the piles don't have time to grow." (Julie, Maryland City at Russett Library)
-
"I have created playlists of fast music that last 10, 15 and 20 minutes that I clean and pick up my drop zones to daily. I joined my local Buy Nothing group on Facebook to easily pass on items I no longer need." (Amy, Deale Library)
-
"When you inevitably leave cleaning until the last possible minute, put on some music or that audiobook you've been meaning to finish. Time goes faster, and cleaning becomes an action instead of a chore. I put on headphones so I don't get distracted by family members or phone conversations." (Darnice, Maryland City at Russett Library)
-
"The best advice I have in tackling spring cleaning is to focus on one room or area a day. If you try to do to much, it becomes overwhelming." (Anne, Broadneck Library)
-
"Give our customers permission to keep the books they love! The ones that bring them joy, the ones that inspire them, or the ones that were a special gift from someone. But also give them permission to give some books away - the ones that they will never read, the ones that are damaged, the ones that they didn't like - they can give them to Discover Books and raise money for the library!" (Catherine, Library Headquarters)
But what about you, library family? How are YOU getting organized in spring 2022? If you need inspiration, we've curated a list of reading suggestions (scroll to the bottom of this page).
Need to Get Electronically Organized?
Odenton Regional Library has events coming up in April and May that can walk you through how to use digital tools like Microsoft Excel, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Apps - you'll have all your ducks in a row in no time! Learn from a computer lab assistant in a group setting with hands-on practice.
- Microsoft Excel I – Monday, April 4 at 6 PM - All classes are taught on library computers. Please bring your library card, 4-digit PIN, and a USB flash drive to save your work.
- Microsoft Excel II – Monday, April 11 at 6 PM – All classes are taught on library computers. Please bring your library card, 4-digit PIN, and a USB flash drive to save your work.
- Microsoft Excel III – Monday, April 18 at 6 PM – All classes are taught on library computers. Please bring your library card, 4-digit PIN, and a USB flash drive to save your work.
- Google Docs – Saturday, April 30 at 11 AM - The class will be taught on library laptops. Prerequisite: Basic computer skills, have a Gmail account and bring your password.
- Google Sheets – Saturday, May 14 at 11 AM - The class will be taught on library laptops. Prerequisite: Basic computer skills, have a Gmail account and bring your password.
- Google Apps – Saturday, May 28 at 11 AM - The class will be taught on library laptops. Prerequisite: Basic computer skills, have a Gmail account and bring your password.