[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 7150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3422]


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NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES


IMLS Survey of Educational and Training Opportunities Available 
for Library Support Staff in the U.S.: Pre-professionals, 
Paraprofessionals, Library Technicians; Submission for OMB Review, 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

ACTION: Notice of requests for New Information Collection Approval.

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SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library Studies (IMLS) has 
submitted the following information collection request for review and 
clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 
Office of Management and Budget approval is being sought for the 
information collection listed below. This proposed information 
collection was previously published in the Federal Register on November 
29, 2002, allowing for a 60-day public comment period.
    The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for 
public comment until March 14, 2003. This process is conducted in 
accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.
    Written comments and/or suggestions from the public and affected 
agencies concerning the proposed collection of information should 
address one or more of the following four points:
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the function of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) 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;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden for 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.

ADDRESSES: For a copy of the form contact: Mamie Bittner, Director of 
Legislative and Public Affairs, Institute of Museum and Library 
Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Room 510, Washington, DC 20506.
    Overview of this information:
    (1) Type of information collection: New collection.
    (2) The title of the form/collection: Survey of Education and 
Training Opportunities for Pre-/Paraprofessional Library (Support) 
Staff
    (3) The agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of 
the Department sponsoring the collection: No form number. Institute of 
Museum and Library Services.
    (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as 
well as a brief abstract:
    Primary: Institutions offering education programs or providing 
training courses targeted to pre-/paraprofessional library (support) 
staff including academic institutions, state library agencies, library 
associations, library consortia or cooperatives, and commercial 
training entities.
    Other: Select county library systems and individual libraries.
    This collection will help to identify and describe programs (e.g., 
associate degrees; bachelor degrees; certificates) and individual 
course/training offerings that are targeted toward non-MLS-degreed 
library workers. A major outcome of this project will be an inventory 
of resources for the library community to help identify specific 
programs/instruction. By identifying the population of organizations 
administering paraprofessional training and by describing the kinds of 
courses offered, this study will draw attention to topics (and areas of 
the country) where this type of education and training coursework is 
and is not available.
    The resulting baseline inventory will be used to document the 
adequacy of--and analyze trends within--educational and training 
programs and courses throughout the United States designed to develop 
library staff who do not currently possess a Master's in Library 
Science (MLS) degree. Within the limitations of any one study, we will 
seek ways to identify how these institutions strive to advance the 
library support staff worker beyond current positions, 
responsibilities, or capabilities. Through this research effort, we 
will attempt to isolate elements that contribute to success and 
highlight those that have incorporated these factors into their 
programs.
    (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount 
of time estimated for an average respondent to respond/reply: It is 
estimated that there will be 300 respondents. It is estimated that each 
survey will take 0.5 hours (30 minutes to complete) and, as the average 
respondent will have two programs or courses for which to complete a 
survey, the average respondent will require one hour to complete the 
data collection.
    (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated 
with the collection: The total hour burden to complete the survey is 
300 annual burden hours.

    Dated: February 4, 2003.
Mamie Bittner,
Department Clearance Officer, Institute of Museum and Library Services.
[FR Doc. 03-3422 Filed 2-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-M