The document provides a guide for library students on managing information overload, emphasizing the importance of observing, evaluating, organizing, prioritizing, and consuming information effectively. It suggests practical steps, including the use of technology tools and setting boundaries for information intake. By finding a personal balance, students can navigate the overwhelming abundance of information in a structured manner.

1. A Library Student’s
Guide to
Information
Overload
Hope Harms
December 2012

2. Whether you’re
researching
something
specific…

3. … or generally
going about
your day …

4. You may feel like
you’re being
bombarded
with information.

5. “We suffer from
information
overconsumption.”
Clay A. Johnson
Author of The Information Diet

6. “Information overload is a
symptom of our desire not
to focus on what’s
important. …”

7. “It’s a
choice.”
Brian Solis
Industry Analyst

8. Need help making
better choices?

9. Here are 5 simple steps…

10. Observe

11. Pause

12. Look.
What
information
is in front
of you?

14. Seem familiar?

15. What is it about?

16. Who is the source?

17. Who is the source?
Experts?

18. Who is the source?
Entertainers?

19. Who is the source?
Friends and family?

20. Who is the source?
Joe Shmoe

21. Who is the source?
Joe Shmoe and his dog?

22. How often is it produced?

23. Evaluate

24. Is it
reliable?

25. Is it
time sensitive?

26. Is it
useful?

27. Is it
entertaining?

28. Organize

29. Group similar types of
information …

30. … to give
context to
the content.

31. Context adds
meaning and
helps us process
information
faster.

32. Set limits Cloud storage
for yourself Filters
Tools are at your fingertips!
Note-taking Dashboards
Folders Calendars
Lists Online
Voicemail archiving
RSS feeds

33. Check out a few of these:
Diigo
Dropbox
Evernote
Google Reader
Instapaper

34. And don’t forget
the Delete button.
(Because you can probably use your awesome search
skills if you really need that information later.)

35. Prioritize

36. Which information
is most
relevant?

37. Which information
is most
authoritative?

38. Which information
most
contributes
to your
understanding?

39. Is it
urgent?

40. Is it
important?

41. Can it
wait?

42. Do you
need it
now?

43. Plan what and when you’ll
consume your information.
Maybe some morning news over coffee.
An audiobook during the work commute.
Pass the afternoon break with Facebook.
Perhaps some homework after dinner.

44. Consume

45. Follow
your plan…

46. … but set aside
time to explore.

47. No need to plunge into
an ocean of information…

48. …just skim
the surface.

49. Take time
to unplug.

50. And …

51. And …
make time for people, too.

52. Find a
balance

53. that works
for you.
Find a
balance

55. Observe

56. Evaluate

57. Organize

58. Prioritize

59. Consume

60. So easy, you can do it on
one hand.

61. For more information…
Braum, H. (2012, October 16). Managing professional information overload.
Retrieved from http://nekls.libguides.com/info-overload
Houghton-Jan, S. (2008, July 29). Being wired or being tired: 10 ways to cope with
information overload. Adriadne, 56. Retrieved from
http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue56/houghton-jan
Johnson, C. A. (2012). The information diet. Retrieved from
http://www.informationdiet.com
Kirkpatrick, M. (2009, May 25). Groups: Turn information overload into an asset.
ReadWrite. Retrieved from
http://readwrite.com/2009/05/25/groups_turn_information_overload_into_an_asset
Mind Tools. (2012). The urgent/important matrix. Retrieved from
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_91.htm
Purdue University. (2012). Evaluation. Retrieved from
http://www.lib.purdue.edu/rguides/studentinstruction/evaluation
Solis, B. (2012, May 15). The fallacy of information overload. Retrieved from
http://www.briansolis.com/2012/05/the-fallacy-of-information-overload

62. Image credits
Flickr – A Conversation (Khalid Albaih)
freerangestock.com – Plug (Chance Agrella)
openclipart.com – Balanza (Enhy), Book (Janisroznieks), Dog (Drunken_Duck),
Family2 (Papapishu), Juggler Clown (sammo241), Man (AK), Pac-Man, Pause,
Woman Doctor (Gerald_G)
stockfreeimages.com – Blank note (Brentmelissa), Business woman in office
(Amaxim), Cake vs. apple (Qtrix), Calculator (Podfoto), Calendar (Miszmasz ),
Compass on the map (Photooiasson ), Delete (Lostbear), Friends sitting on the grass
(Lykovata), Graduation cap on top of book pile (Jarenwicklund), Green target and
red dart (Ghen), Hour Glass (Palto), Idea (Monika3stepsahead ), Isolated Colosseum
(Frenchmen77), Lying royal flush cards (Golovanov), Old binoculars (Kvkirillov), Set
icons - 23A. Tools (Markov), Snorkeling man (Veredinka), Stopwatch in hand
(GeoffreyWhiteway), Sunset Puzzle (Frenchmen77), Target background (Tamilsma),
Underwater reef (connelld)
Unpublished – Hands (Tyler Harms), Twitter Blur (Hope Harms)
Wikimedia Commons – Duct-tape (Evan-Amos)

63. Thank you and
good luck!