[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 16, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31195-31196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12282]


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NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES


Institute of Museum and Library Services, Office of Museum 
Services; Proposed Collection, Comment Request; Technology and 
Digitization Surveys

AGENCY: 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 Technology and Digitization Surveys.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the addressee 
section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before July 17, 2000.
     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.

[[Page 31196]]


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, DC 20506. 
Dr. Danvers can be reached on Telephone: 202-606-2478 Fax: 202-606-1077 
or at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Institute of Museum and Library Services 
is an independent Federal grant-making agency. The IMLS provides a 
variety of grant programs to assist the nation's museums and libraries 
in improving their operations and enhancing their services to the 
public. Museums and libraries of all sizes and types may receive 
support from IMLS programs. The Museum and Library Services Act of 1996 
includes a strong emphasis on supporting library services through the 
use of technology and on assisting museums in their educational role 
and in modernizing their methods and facilities. This solicitation is 
to develop plans to collect information to assist IMLS in understanding 
the current status and capacity of museums and libraries to participate 
in national networks to deliver educational resources to students, 
life-long learners, underserved populations, and the general public.

II. Current Actions

    The core duties of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, as 
stated in its strategic plan, are to promote excellence in library 
services and to promote access to museum and library services for a 
diverse public. This goal will be accomplished in part by promoting 
access to learning and information resources held by museums and 
libraries through electronic linkages. IMLS is seeking assistance in 
developing specific plans to collect information from the US library 
and museum communities to assess the digitization readiness and 
capacity of libraries and the technological readiness and capacity of 
museums. These information collections will be developed based on the 
varying characteristics of each community. A great deal of information 
has been collected on the internet access of libraries for internal and 
public access. The information IMLS collects should build on but not 
duplicate existing or ongoing collections.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: Museum Technology Survey.
    OMB Number: Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: Once.
    Affected Public: museums and museum organizations.
    Number of Respondents: 650.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: \1/2\ hour.
    Total Burden Hours: 325.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.
    Total Annual Costs: 0.

    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: Library Digitization Survey.
    OMB Number: Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: Once.
    Affected Public: Libraries and library organizations.
    Number of Respondents: 1000.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 1 hour.
    Total Burden Hours: 1000.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup 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.

    Dated: May 8, 2000.
Mamie Bittner,
Director of Public and Legislative Affairs.
[FR Doc. 00-12282 Filed 5-15-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-M