[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32830-32831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15796]


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NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES


Institute of Museum and Library Services; Proposed Collection, 
Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), as part 
of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, is 
providing the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity 
to comment on draft proposed and/or continuing collections of 
information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that 
requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden 
(time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are 
clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on 
respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Institute of 
Museum and Library Services is soliciting comments concerning a new 
program, National Leadership Grants, authorized by the Museum and 
Library Services Act of 1996, Title VII of the Departments of Labor, 
Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, as enacted by Sec. 101(e) of Divisions A. Public 
Law 104-208, enacted September 30, 1996.
    A copy of the draft proposed information collection can be obtained 
by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section of this 
notice.

DATES: Written comments on the information collection requested for 
this new program must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before (60 days from publication).
    IMLS is particularly interested in comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity 
of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.
     IMLS welcomes all comments regarding the proposed 
guidelines and their impact on the ability of museums and libraries to 
improve service to the public.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Rebecca Danvers, Institute of Museum and Library 
Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20506. Telephone 
(202) 606-8539. e-mail I[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Museum and Library Services Act of 1996 describes National 
Leadership Grants or Contracts in Sec. 262. The statute directs the 
Director to establish and carry out a new program awarding national 
leadership grants or contracts to enhance the quality of library 
services nationwide and to provide coordination between libraries and 
museums. Such grants or contracts shall be used for activities that may 
include--
    (1) Education and training of persons in library and information 
science, particularly in areas of new technology and other critical 
needs, including graduate fellowships, traineeships, institutes, or 
other programs;
    (2) Research and demonstration projects related to the improvement 
of libraries, education in library and information science, enhancement 
of library services through effective and efficient use of new 
technologies, and dissemination of information derived from such 
projects;
    (3) Preservation or digitization of library materials and 
resources, giving priority to projects emphasizing coordination, 
avoidance of duplication, and access by researchers beyond the 
institution or library entity undertaking the project; and
    (4) Model programs demonstrating cooperative efforts between 
libraries and museums.
    The statute further authorizes the Director to carry out these 
activities by awarding grants to, or entering into contract, on a 
competitive basis with, libraries, agencies, institutions of higher 
education, or museums, where appropriate.
    The Institute began the process of developing these guidelines in 
March 1997 by convening a group of renowned museum and library 
professionals, together with several National Commission for Library 
and Information Science Commissioners and Members of the National 
Museum Services Board, for two days of discussion. On the first day 
they heard from panels representing museums, libraries, other funders 
and Federal policy makers. On the second day they discussed what they 
had heard and what issues they see as most important for the Institute 
to address in the coming years.
    Drawing from these discussions, agency staff drafted guidelines for 
these projects which were reviewed at the first joint meeting of the 
National Museum Services Board and the National Commission for Library 
and Information Sciences on May 8, 1997. The Institute received policy 
guidance from these advisory bodies and used this to further revise the 
draft guidelines.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be used by the 
agency in further developing its National Leadership Grants guidelines 
and in the request for the Office of Management and Budget approval of 
the information collection request; they also will become a matter of 
public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mamie Bittner, Director of Legislative

[[Page 32831]]

and Public Affairs, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1100 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20506.

    Dated: June 11, 1997.
Mamie Bittner,
Director of Legislative and Public Affairs, Institute of Museum and 
Library Services.
[FR Doc. 97-15796 Filed 6-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-M