[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 159 (Friday, August 16, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 53557]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-20881]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 159 / Friday, August 16, 2002 / 
Notices  

[[Page 53557]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Public Comment

AGENCY: National Agricultural Library, Agricultural Research Service, 
USDA.

ACTION: Notice of issuance of a report for public comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the 
National Agricultural Library, Agricultural Research Service, USDA has 
issued the task force ``Report on the National Agricultural Library 
2001'' for public comment. Comments received will be reviewed by the 
National Agricultural Research, Education, Extension and Economics 
Advisory Board and considered in the development of specific 
recommendations to the Department for the future management of the 
National Agricultural Library.

DATES: Submit comments September 16, 2002. Comments received after this 
date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the USDA is 
able to ensure consideration only for comments received on or before 
this date.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Dr. Susan 
McCarthy, Technical Information Specialist, USDA, ARS, National 
Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Room 203, Beltsville, MD 
20705-2351. Submit electronic comments to [email protected]. Copies 
of the Report can be obtained through the NAL Home Page address: http://www.nal.usda.gov/brp/ and are also available for on-site review in the 
Reading Room of the National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan McCarthy, Phone: 301-504-5510, 
or FAX: 301-504-6951, or by E-mail: [email protected], please 
reference this Notice in the subject line.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The task force ``Report on the National 
Agricultural Library 2001'' is being issued for a 30-day public comment 
period. The report represents the work of a task force to assess the 
National Agricultural Library (NAL) in pursuit of its legislated 
mandate to serve as the chief agricultural information resource of the 
United States (``Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 
1990'' codified at 7 USCS 3125a). The task force conducted an extensive 
study of the mission, management, programs and operations of the NAL. 
The study included stakeholder surveys, comparisons with other national 
library operations, and internal reviews. Through this report the task 
force laid the foundation for substantiative recommendations to the 
Department for the long-term management of NAL, an important 
information resource for the food, fiber, and agriculture enterprise. 
Information received through the public comment process will assist the 
National Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Economics 
Advisory Board (NAREEE Advisory Board) to develop recommendations for 
the Department of Agriculture to guide the future management of the 
NAL. The NAREEE Advisory Board is the official advisory board for 
USDA's Research, Extension, and Economics Mission Area and is able to 
provide consensus recommendations to the Department based on public 
input.
    Specifically, USDA is seeking information through comments on the 
``Report of the National Agricultural Library 2001'' regarding the 
preliminary recommendations issued in the Report. The recommendations 
relate to issues of: innovation in information services; organizational 
structure; planning and evaluation processes; and leadership. In 
addition, comments are sought on behalf of the comprehensive 
information support system needed for an efficient and robust food, 
fiber, and agriculture enterprise. Comments are sought on the need to 
create critical information services and programs not currently 
provided; or to cease redundant or nonessential services and programs. 
All responses to this notice will be summarized and provided to the 
NAREEE Advisory Board for consideration in the development of 
recommendations to the Department of Agriculture. All comments will 
become a matter of public record.

    Authority: 41 CFR Parts 101-6 and 102-3 Federal Advisory 
Committee Management; Final Rule.

    Dated: August 8, 2002.
Caird E. Rexroad,
Acting Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 02-20881 Filed 8-15-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-P