Day 10: Label Something That Has Been Annoying You
We all have one.
That drawer.
The one where bookmarks, batteries, paper clips, tape, sticky notes, scissors, USB drives, and who-knows-what-else somehow end up living together.
Or maybe it’s a cabinet full of supplies.
A shelf of processing materials.
A stack of bins that all look exactly alike.
Or a collection of cords that somehow become tangled again no matter how carefully you put them away.
You know the place.
The one that makes you sigh just a little every time you open it.
Today’s Quick Win is wonderfully simple.
Don’t organize your whole library.
Just label one thing that’s been annoying you.
Why It Matters
It’s easy to underestimate the power of good labels.
A clear label saves time.
It reduces frustration.
It helps volunteers, student helpers, and substitute librarians know where things belong.
Most importantly, it eliminates those tiny daily interruptions that quietly drain our energy.
Think about how many times you’ve asked yourself:
“Now where did I put that?”
Or found yourself opening three different drawers before locating the laminating pouches.
Those little moments may only take a few seconds, but over the course of a school year they add up.
A label is a tiny investment with a surprisingly large payoff.
Your 15-Minute Challenge
Choose one area that’s been bothering you.
Not five.
Not the entire workroom.
Just one.
It might be:
- The office supply drawer
- Processing materials
- Bulletin board supplies
- Makerspace materials
- Craft supplies
- Charging cables
- Cleaning supplies
- Printer paper
- Seasonal decorations
- Book repair tools
- Technology accessories
- Lost-and-found items
Now make it easier for your future self.
Use a label maker if you have one.
Or simply write neat labels on index cards, sticky labels, or cardstock.
Remember—labels don’t have to be fancy to be effective.
Try This Today
As you organize your chosen area, ask yourself a few simple questions:
- Could someone else find what they need here?
- Would a student helper know where to put things away?
- Are similar items stored together?
- Is there anything I no longer need?
- Could I reduce clutter while I’m here?
Sometimes you’ll discover that the biggest improvement isn’t adding a label.
It’s removing something you no longer use.
Bonus Tip
Think beyond drawers.
Some of the most helpful labels in a library are the ones students and volunteers never notice because they’re behind the scenes.
Consider labeling:
- Storage bins
- Book carts
- Equipment cases
- Cabinet shelves
- Power cords
- Keys
- Bulletin board tubs
- File folders
- Makerspace containers
The more clearly things are labeled, the less mental energy you’ll spend remembering where everything belongs.
There’s something deeply satisfying about solving a problem that’s been quietly bothering you for months—or even years.
Maybe it’s a drawer that never stays organized.
A cabinet that’s become a catch-all.
A shelf that’s always cluttered.
Today’s goal isn’t perfection.
It’s progress.
One labeled drawer won’t transform your entire library.
But tomorrow morning, when you open that drawer and immediately find what you need, you’ll smile.
Then you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
Small improvements like this rarely make headlines.
But they make everyday work a little smoother, a little calmer, and a little more enjoyable.
And those small wins have a way of adding up.
Reflection Question
If you could eliminate one tiny frustration from your daily routine before students arrive, what would it be?
Maybe today’s the day to finally give it a label.
For more in the August in the Library series, click here.
For more Library Administration posts, click here.
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