Culture and Values

Having grown up on the public service side of libraries, I am always on the lookout for examples of organizations and companies who can articulate a service culture.  My latest discovery is Zappos.com, founded in 1999 “…with the goal of becoming the premiere destination for online shoes.”  Although I have never been a customer of … Continue reading Culture and Values

How Our Students Are Doing

The Nation’s Report Card, recently released by the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, doesn’t have good news about our student’s academic achievement in American history.  Just 13% of high school seniors, 18% of eighth-graders, and 22% of fourth-graders ranked at the proficient level.  “These results tell us that, as a country, we … Continue reading How Our Students Are Doing

Thoughts on Leadership

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates delivered this year’s Commencement Address at the U.S. Naval Academy.  In it he reflected on his 46 years of public service—Air Force, CIA, White House, and Pentagon, serving under eight presidents.  He states, “From this experience I have learned that real leadership is a rare and precious commodity, and … Continue reading Thoughts on Leadership

A Signature History

The Federal Register, often called the Government’s daily newspaper, is published by the National Archives and contains rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as Executive Orders and other Presidential documents.  That includes signed legislation.  And the process for these documents includes signature verification. Congress recently passed legislation to extend … Continue reading A Signature History