A Librarian’s Method for Organizing a Wardrobe: Current, Non-current, or Archive?

I did not set out to fix my wardrobe. I was just tired of negotiating with it every morning. My closet was full, but I wore the same few things. The rest stared back at me like a group project I never agreed to join. I had already tried the usual advice: declutter, be ruthless, imagine an ideal self who attends brunch more often than I do.

None of it stuck. Then I realized the problem was not the clothes. It was the lack of a system.

I am a librarian.

When something does not work, I do not add more space. I reclassify.

Again, I remind myself that I am a librarian. When something is chaotic, my first thought is NOT “buy more storage.”

It is “this needs a system.” My closet did not need more hangers. It needed cataloging.

Librarians do not panic about having too many books. They decide where each book belongs: current, non-current, or archive.

So I tried the same method on my wardrobe.

The Library Method, Explained Without the Jargon

In libraries:

Current items are used all the time
Non-current items are still useful, just not right now
Archive items are kept for record, memory, or rare use

None of these categories mean “bad.”
They just mean not all at once.

Closets should work the same way.

Shelf One: Current Collection (Also Known as “Real Life Clothes”)

This section gets the best space. Eye level. Easy reach. No obstacles.

These are clothes that:

Fit my body now
Match my current lifestyle
Get worn at least once every two weeks
Do not require emotional preparation

If I have to say, “I will wear this when…,” then it does not live here. Think of this as my circulating collection. High demand. High turnover. No guilt.

Shelf Two: Non-Current Collection (Still Valid, Just Not Today)

Libraries do not throw away books because they are not popular this month. They move them.

This section includes:

Seasonal clothes
Clothes for specific events
Items that fit but do not suit my daily routine
Clothes I like, but not right now

These are stored neatly, clearly separated, and easy to retrieve.

Important rule: If I forget something exists, it is probably drifting toward archive.

Shelf Three: Archive (Memory Storage, Not a Dressing Room)

Archives are not for daily use. They are for preservation. My archive includes:

Sentimental clothing
“Former life” outfits
One-day-only clothes (weddings, ceremonies)
Pieces I keep for emotional reasons, not practical ones

Archived items are:

Clean
Labeled
Stored out of daily sight

They are not allowed to pretend they are part of my current identity. This is not cruel. It is honest.

Why This Works (And Why Marie Kondo Never Fixed My Closet)

The library method removes moral judgment. I just mixed three collections together and expected peace.

Once each item has a role, the noise stops. My closet becomes:

Smaller without losing anything
Easier to maintain
Quiet in a way that feels grown-up

Like a good library.

I would not shelve a 1998 encyclopedia next to today’s bestseller, then I should not force my past self’s wardrobe to live with my present one. Different collections. Same building. Much calmer mind.

How Important is Proper Document Control in ISO Accreditation?

If your organization is working toward ISO accreditation—or trying to maintain it—you’ve probably heard the phrase document control more times than you care to count. But before your eyes glaze over, let’s break it down. ISO standards (like ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, or ISO 27001 for information security) are built on the idea of consistency, traceability, and accountability. None of that works without proper documentation. And documentation doesn’t stay proper on its own. It needs structure. That’s where document control comes in. So, how important is it? In short: it's everything. What Is Document Control in the ISO Context? Document control refers to how an organization manages its critical documents—such as procedures, manuals, forms, and records—so that they are: Correct (the latest version) Accessible (to the right people) Secure (from unauthorized changes) Traceable (who approved, changed, or accessed them)...

3 Easy Ways to Instantly Improve Your Handwriting

Handwriting doesn’t have to be a lost art, even in today’s digital world. Whether you’re taking notes, writing a letter, or just doodling in your journal, legible handwriting is a skill worth mastering. Let’s start with three quick tips to make your writing more readable: 1. Pay Attention to Spacing Spacing is one of the most overlooked aspects of legibility. It’s tempting to let your letters and words run together, but that’s the quickest way to turn your notes into an indecipherable mess. Make a conscious effort to leave some space between each letter and word. This breathing room allows the reader to clearly distinguish one word from the next. Slow down, and you’ll find your spacing naturally improves. 2. Hold the Pen Correctly You might not think much about how you hold your pen, but it plays a big role in your handwriting. Too tight a grip, and your hand tires quickly, causing shaky lines. Too loose, and you’ll struggle to control the pen. Aim for a relaxed but steady grip that le...

10 Benefits of Becoming a Board Topnotcher in the Philippines

Becoming a board topnotcher in the Philippines is a highly esteemed achievement that can have significant benefits for an individual's professional and personal life. These benefits span across various aspects, including career opportunities, personal growth, and societal impact. 10 Reasons Board Topnotchers are a Big Deal in the Philippines 1. Enhanced Career Opportunities : Achieving topnotcher status in board exams in the Philippines often opens doors to a plethora of career opportunities. Many employers, particularly in competitive fields such as engineering, accountancy, and law, view topnotchers as individuals with exceptional capabilities and a strong work ethic. As a result, topnotchers often receive job offers from prestigious firms, government agencies, and private corporations. Additionally, they are frequently offered higher starting salaries, leadership roles, and opportunities for advanced training and education. 2. Professional Recognition and Credibility : Topnotche...

Being a Document Control Officer to Manage Archives: Are You the Office Librarian?

In many workplaces, there's someone who seems to know where everything is. They can pull up the latest policy revision, retrieve an outdated client file, or point you to that mysterious "blue folder" from three years ago that somehow still matters. This person may not wear glasses or whisper "shhh"—but in essence, they are the office librarian . In most cases, this role falls to the Document Control Officer . But what does being a Document Control Officer really mean? And how close is it to being the keeper of a corporate library? Let’s unpack it. What Is a Document Control Officer? A Document Control Officer (DCO) is responsible for managing how documents are created, reviewed, stored, accessed, and archived within an organization. In many cases, the DCO is the quiet force behind regulatory compliance, internal consistency, and institutional memory. In short, if your company ever says, “We have a paper trail,” the DCO is why. Their duties typically incl...

Weekly Facebook Reel Content Plan (#003): Being a Good Samaritan

With a theme like "Being a Good Samaritan," you can create a powerful way to engage your audience while promoting kindness and community involvement. Here's a table to guide you through a week of such content: Day of the Week Concept Execution Monday Helping the Homeless Show yourself preparing care packages and distributing them to homeless individuals. Tuesday Animal Welfare Visit an animal shelter and spend the day volunteering. Highlight ways others can help too. Wednesday Environmental Cleanup Organize or participate in a local area cleanup. Share tips on how to keep communities clean. Thursday Food Donation Collect food items and donate them to a local food bank. Encourage viewers to do the same. Friday Elderly Care Spend time with elderly people in a care home or virtually. Share their stories and needs. Saturday Acts of Kindness Perform random acts of kindness like paying for someone's coffee. Challenge your audience to do the same. Sunday Community Awar...

The Importance of Monitoring Access to Organizational Archives

In any organization, the preservation and management of archives is a task that requires meticulous attention and responsibility, particularly when it comes to monitoring who accesses these valuable records. As a record manager, one of the crucial aspects of the role is ensuring that the access to archives is both controlled and recorded. This blog post explores why it's essential for record managers to keep track of who accesses organizational archives and the benefits this control brings. By the way, I designed an Archives Log Book that can help record keepers monitor who accesses their archives, especially the ones stored on-site in boxes or file cabinets: https://www.amazon.com/Archives-Log-Book-Organizational-Unauthorized/dp/B0B35H8P6L Protecting Sensitive Information Organizational archives often contain sensitive information, which could include personal data, confidential business strategies, legal documents, and financial records. Unauthorized access to such informa...

A Library Can Help Remove Bias and Prejudice in the Community

Human library as a concept for your makerspace? Here are some information about this kind of library and what can be achieved by organizing something like it. We are not Alone In This Advocacy The Human Library Project is actually a world-wide advocacy made up of various organizations. So, check out what has been done and what the future holds for this project at www.humanlibrary.org . What is a Human Library It is a safe space for interesting characters and those interested in them to learn and interact. Simply put, readers read a person rather than a book. Thus, a reader initiates the question and answer session under the watchful eye of a marshall, who monitors the interaction to ensure the human book’s safety and security. What is the Goal of a Human Library? It transforms a book library into a safe place for healthy discussion about controversial topics with the ultimate goal of unjudging someone. Readers can read more than one book per session, depending on the availabili...

Influencer Strategies for Thriving in the Attention Economy

We live in a time where there's so much information available, thanks to the internet. But here's the catch: our brains can only handle so much at once. This is where the idea of "attention" comes in. Imagine attention as a kind of valuable coin that everyone wants. Influencers are people who are really good at getting attention. They share things online, and if they get lots of likes and comments, they become more influential. But it's not always easy to get attention while staying true to yourself. Parents also play a big role in attention. They help their kids decide what's worth paying attention to. Social media is like a non-stop attention machine, with likes and shares making people feel important. But there's a problem: too many choices. With so much stuff to pay attention to, it can be overwhelming. Here are some simple tips for doing well in this attention economy: 1. Be yourself : Influencers should be genuine, not fake. People like realness. ...

Simple Way to Ask Library Users to Rate the Library Service

Library users do not always share their thoughts on how the librarian or school can improve their library service. In fact, some won't ever, unless prompted. Soliciting their thoughts using a suggestion box is also not as good a strategy as it is predicted to be. After all, the blank piece of paper near the suggestion box doesn't really guide the user. I also noticed that users would only use the suggestion box if they have a complaint, but not if they just want to go about their business and leave. There must be a more pro-active way to solicit users' opinion. A simple solution would be to offer a short survey to measure how successfully users were able to complete some common activities in the library. This assessment uses the Likert scale, which is typically a five, seven, or nine-point agreement scale used to measure respondents' agreement with various statements. For example, the scale can range from "very unsuccessful" to "very successful."...

Want to Donate Your Paperbacks to Libraries?

From Our Shelves to Yours: The Art of Donating Books As a librarian who has the joy and responsibility of curating and processing donated books, I've seen firsthand the incredible journey books go through when they're given a second life. Donating your paperbacks to the library isn't just about passing on a book; it's about sharing a piece of literary treasure with your community. Here's an inside look at why donating is a brilliant idea and how you can help make every donation count. A New Chapter for Your Books When you donate books to us, you're not just clearing out your space; you're giving these stories and knowledge a chance to spark joy, inspiration, and learning in others. Every book donated is a potential new favorite for someone and a valuable addition to our library's diversity. Eco-Friendly and Community-Oriented By choosing to donate, you're also making an eco-friendly choice. Books that might otherwise be forgotten or discarded get ...

Ruby Galvez, RL

Search This Blog