While training for a new volunteer role at my library, I learned the process for getting an event listed with our public access cable channel.
- Someone emails me a Word document with program listings.
- I hand transcribe them onto paper forms and deliver them to the library.
- Another volunteer picks them up from the library and drives them to the municipal electric company.
- Someone at the electric company enters the listings for broadcast.
In my profession, I’ve been optimizing and automating processes for well over 20 years. It’s become second nature for me, and I quickly optimized this one in my mind.
Upon returning home, I reflected on how nice it was to work alongside the library staff for an hour or so. I also thought more about how programs get listed on the local TV channel. 
It may be the best part of someone’s day to visit the library to pick up forms and deliver them to the electric company — to connect with nice people and catch up on family, friends and community. For the library and electric company staff, seeing friendly faces coming-and-going no doubt makes the day go by more quickly and pleasantly.
So yeah, we could probably streamline this task with technology … tho I’ll hold off suggesting it. It’s worth checking to be sure that what we save through a bit more efficiency won’t cost us something much more valuable.
Thanks to SG for sharing the wisdom of taking things one step at a time.
