Today we share our new Open Government Plan. In the four years since we published our first plan, we have demonstrated our contribution to strengthening the principles of open government. We have implemented more than 90 actions to improve transparency, participation, and collaboration. In our new plan we focus our efforts to engage the public … Continue reading Innovate To Make Access Happen
Happy Memorial Day!
The photograph was taken at Soldier Field, Chicago, in July of 1967. The Navy’s Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes provided the manpower to create The Living Flag. In the upper right corner of the blue field, wearing a blue plastic bag over whitehat, stands recruit David S. Ferriero! Remembering boot camp on this Memorial Day weekend. … Continue reading Happy Memorial Day!
Sleepover at the National Archives
It gives me great joy to be able to share the treasures of the National Archives with kids and their families. In January, we held the first-ever National Archives Sleepover in the Rotunda. It was a great way to create a meaningful experience for families, while giving us the opportunity to explain the important role … Continue reading Sleepover at the National Archives
Public Service Recognition Week and the Archivist’s Awards
Despite the challenges of the past year--sequestration, the government shutdown, and other obstacles we have had to face-- the staff of the National Archives has consistently risen to the occasion and has done some extraordinary work. Staff receive awards at the 2014 Archivist's Awards Ceremony at the National Archives in College Park For me, … Continue reading Public Service Recognition Week and the Archivist’s Awards
Patent of the Month: Tucker “Torpedo” Patent Drawing, 06/14/1949
During World War II, the South Side of Chicago was home to one of the largest war plants in the country, used by Dodge-Chrysler to build bomber plane engines. After the war, Preston Tucker leased two of the buildings to build his “Torpedo” car. This site is now the home of the National Archives at … Continue reading Patent of the Month: Tucker “Torpedo” Patent Drawing, 06/14/1949
Making Access Happen by Expanding Broadband
I recently attended the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ public hearing on broadband access, hosted at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC. I was joined by colleagues from Federal agencies, universities, museums and libraries to examine the need for high speed broadband access in America’s libraries, and how this access … Continue reading Making Access Happen by Expanding Broadband
Modernizing Records Management
The Managing Government Records Directive (OMB M12-18) charges the National Archives and Records Administration to lead the efforts to modernize records management in the Federal Government. The Directive focuses on two main goals: agencies will require electronic recordkeeping by managing all their email in an accessible electronic format by the end of 2016 and managing … Continue reading Modernizing Records Management
Be Bold. Build Our Future Through Our People
Our fourth strategic goal, our most important goal, focuses on the real treasures of the National Archives--our staff. Photograph of Female Statue, The Future, Located near the Pennsylvania Avenue Entrance to the National Archives Building, 06/30/1936. National Archives ID: 7657960 This goal highlights our commitment to provide our staff with the training, tools and opportunities necessary … Continue reading Be Bold. Build Our Future Through Our People
Be Bold: Maximize NARA’s Value to the Nation
In this goal we recognize that public access to government information creates measurable economic value, which adds to the enduring cultural, historical, and evidentiary value of our records. National Archives Identifier: 196401 When we talk about economic value, we are not talking about the appraised value or the replacement value of our records. Historically, we … Continue reading Be Bold: Maximize NARA’s Value to the Nation
Be Bold: Connect with Customers
State Fair, 10/1972. National Archives Identifier 545457 The second of our new strategic goals is to “Connect with Customers.” Having spent most of my career working with the public, customer service is a passion of mine. In my personal life I am always looking for exemplars—places where I am dazzled by attention to service, places which … Continue reading Be Bold: Connect with Customers