[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 205 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55279-55281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28070]


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NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES


Institute of Museum and Library Services; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

October 10, 1997.
ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library services (IMLS), has 
submitted the following public information collection request (ICR) to 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)].

DATES: Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for Education, Office of Management and 
Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 (202) 395-7316, on or before 
November 24, 1997.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the final National Leadership Grant program 
guidelines is available from: Discretionary Programs, Office of Library 
Services, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1100 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW, room 802, Washington, DC 20506, Tel: 202/606-5227, fax: 202/
606-1077, or from: e-mail: [email protected] web:www.imls.fed.us/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Institute of Museum and Library 
Services, Director of Public and Legislative Affairs, Mamie Bittner, 
(202) 606-4648. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the 
deaf (TTY/TDD) MAY CALL (202) 606-8636.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OMB is particularly interested in 
comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of proposed collection of information 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 submission of responses.
    The Institute of Museum and Library Services solicits comments 
concerning a new program, National Leadership Grants, authorized by the 
Museum and Library Services Act of 1996, Title VII of the Departments 
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, as enacted by Sec. 101(e) of Divisions A. Pub. L. 
104-208, enacted September 30, 1996. IMLS issued, on June 17, 1997, a 
request for comments on draft guidelines.

1. 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

[[Page 55280]]

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 Libraries 
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 
Libraries and Information Science on May 8, 1997. The Institute 
received policy advice 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.

2. Response to Comments

A. General

    IMLS received a number of comments in response to the June 17, 
1997, request for comment. IMLS appreciates the interest of the museum 
and library communities and their time and effort in providing their 
views. Commenters comprised individuals expressing their own opinions 
and officers and staff of professional organizations representing their 
members. Taken as a whole, IMLS believes the comments received are 
reasonably representative of the opinions of the library and museum 
communities which IMLS was created to serve. All of the comments have 
been carefully studied by IMLS, and they will inform the development of 
final program guidelines.
    In general, commenters expressed broad support for the purposes of 
the National Leadership Grant program. Specific suggestions for 
improvement or for clarification fall within these categories:

--Definition of eligible applicants
--Eligibility for specific type projects
--Distribution of funding within project types
--Qualifications of reviewers
--Technical clarification of procedural issues of program management

B. Definition of Eligible Applicants

    Commenters asked for clarification on or posited a case for certain 
types of libraries where either they were unclear as to their 
eligibility or believed they were excluded. These types of libraries 
were special libraries, archives, private libraries, library consortia, 
libraries within larger organizations, and private libraries. The IMLS 
position is that all of these libraries and library consortia, as well 
as those specifically named in section 213(2), are capable of carrying 
out projects such as those identified in section 262(a), and therefore, 
are eligible for National Leadership Grant support. Notwithstanding, 
only private libraries having not-for-profit status from the Internal 
Revenue Service may receive support; private for-profit libraries may 
not receive support.
    Some commenters stated that graduate schools offering degrees in 
library and information sciences should be eligible. IMLS concurs that 
these graduate schools are an appropriate provider of education and 
training projects. They are eligible as units within institutions of 
higher education.
    Some commenters questioned whether museum agencies could apply for 
and receive support within the program as an individual applicant. The 
IMLS intention is to encourage museums to form cooperative model 
projects with libraries when requesting support under the National 
Leadership Grant program. A museum as an individual entity, as part of 
a museum consortium or as an agency for museum services, therefore, may 
only apply as part of a partnership with a library. Any other applicant 
may apply individually or in a partnership.

C. Eligibility for Specific Type Projects

    Museums may apply for support only if the project includes a 
library partner. A partnership that includes at least one museum and 
one library may propose, apply for and receive support for any type of 
activity that would meet the objectives of the National Leadership 
Grant program. Other eligible applicants may apply for any type 
activity individually for any type of activity that would meet the 
objectives of the National Leadership Grant program. Collaborative 
projects between libraries and museums must include at least one 
library and one museum and may include other types of partners.

D. Distribution of Funding Within Project Types

    Several commenters expressed the opinion that as there were four 
clear project types, funding from the Library Services and Technology 
Act would be fairly distributed if no more than one-fourth went to 
model collaborative projects for libraries and museums. Pending 
availability of appropriated funds for National Leadership Grants under 
LSTA, IMLS will award one quarter of funds for collaborative projects 
between libraries and museums.

E. Qualifications of Reviewers

    Some commenters express views that only library reviewers were 
appropriate for some types of project, while both library and museum 
professionals were appropriate for collaborative library museum 
projects. IMLS concurs and intends that appropriate professionals from 
the field will be included as reviewers depending on the nature of the 
project and partnership. Additional technical expertise may also be 
part of the review and decision-making process.

F. Technical Clarification of Procedural Issues of Program Management

    A number of commenters identified unclear wording in the guidelines 
and provided suggestions for editing the guidelines that will enable 
IMLS to clarify the instructions. No single technical issue elicited 
significant numbers of comments, however, taken as a whole they will be 
useful to improve the quality of the guidelines. IMLS appreciates the 
level of attention to detail these commenters provided.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: National Leadership Grants.
    OMB Number: N/A.
    Agency Number: 3136.
    Frequency: One time.

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    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 40 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 1200.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.
    Total annual costs (operation/maintaining systems or purchasing 
services): 0.
    Description: National Leadership Grant are being developed to carry 
out a new program awarding grants or contracts to enhance the quality 
of library services nationwide and to provide coordination between 
libraries and museums.
Diane B. Frankel,
Director.
[FR Doc. 97-28070 Filed 10-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7537-01-M