[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 51964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25921]


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THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES


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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library Services as part of its 
continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a 
preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and 
federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or 
continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3508(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 the proposed Conservation Assessment Program 
evaluation questionnaires.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the addresses 
section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before November 30, 1998.
    IMLS is particularly interested in comments that help the agency 
to:
     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.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Dr. Rebecca Danvers, Director of the 
Office of Research and Technology, Institute of Museum and Library 
Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room 802, Washington, D.C. 20506. 
Dr. Danvers can be reached on (202) 606-2478 or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Museum and Library Services Act, Pub. L. 104-208 enacted on 
September 30, 1996, authorized the IMLS to make grants to improve 
library and museum services. As part of its continuing efforts to 
ensure that all grant programs achieve their goals, the Institute has 
embarked on a project to evaluate all of its grant programs. This 
evaluation focuses on the Conservation Assessment Program. The 
Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) provides eligible museums with a 
source of general conservation survey grants. The general conservation 
survey or assessment provides an overview of all of the museum's 
collections, as well as its environmental conditions, and policies and 
procedures relating to collections care. The assessment report assists 
the institution by:
     Providing recommendations and priorities for conservation 
actions, both immediate and long-term;
     Facilitating the development of long-range institutional 
plans for the care and preservation of the collections; and
     Serving as a fundraising tool for future conservation 
projects.

II. Current Actions

    This is a new information collection. The data collection is needed 
to assess the effectiveness of the Conservation Assessment Program.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: Conservation Assessment Program Data Collection.
    OMB Number: n/a.
    Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: One time only.
    Affected Public: Museum personnel, conservation professionals.
    Number of Respondents: 2500.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 1 hour average per respondent.
    Total Burden Hours: 2500.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.
    Total Annual costs: 0.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mamie Bittner, Director of Public and 
Legislative Affairs, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1100 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20506, telephone (202) 606-
4648.
Mamie Bittner,
Director of Public and Legislative Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-25921 Filed 9-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-M