From the Research Desk

Tomorrow, August 25, the National Park Service turns 100! The park service is celebrating by offering free admission to all 412 national parks from August 25 through August 28. 100 years of protecting America’s natural, historical and cultural treasures from all over the United States. These more than 400 beautiful, historic and exquisite sites cover over 80 million acres consisting of approximately 18,000 miles of trails, more than 75,000 archaeological sites and at least 247 species of threatened or endangered...

This book belongs to none but me For there’s my name inside to see. To steal this book, if you should try, It’s by the throat that you will hang high. And ravens then will gather ‘bout To find your eyes and pull them out. And when you’re screaming “oh, oh, oh!” Remember, you deserved this woe. –Anonymous German scribe. Before printing was invented, every clay tablet, scroll or book (manuscript) had to be written or copied out by hand....

What does it mean to have a meaningful work-life? Is it possible to find meaning in any kind of work? When does work become a calling? Or is a calling something other than work? In the book Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work, David Isay, the founder of StoryCorps, presents numerous stories compiled over the years that get at some of these questions. This is StoryCorps fifth book of compiled interviews based on a theme. In an interview with Democracy...