[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39154-39156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16510]


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NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request

AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: NARA is giving public notice that the agency has submitted to 
OMB for approval the information collection described in this notice. 
The public is invited to comment on the proposed information collection 
pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to OMB at the address below 
on or before July 31, 2003 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to: Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Attn: Ms. Brooke 
Dickson, Desk Officer for NARA, Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the proposed information collection and supporting statement 
should be directed to Tamee Fechhelm at telephone number (301) 837-1694 
or fax number (301) 837-3213.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (Public Law 104-13), NARA invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed information collections. NARA 
published a notice of proposed collection for this information 
collection on January 16, 2003 (68 FR 2367 and 2368). We received 
comments from seven members of the public. Following is a summary of 
the comments and a discussion of the changes that we made to the 
proposed information collection.

Characterization of the Individuals Listed

    Some members from the public expressed concern about the use of the 
word ``professional'' to characterize persons on the listing. We have 
replaced the term ``professional researcher'' with ``independent 
researcher'' on the application form, the listing, and related Web 
pages to more accurately describe the researchers' status. The 
application form, listing, and related Web pages also clearly state 
that inclusion on the listing may not be viewed or advertised as an 
endorsement by NARA. In addition, we have added a disclaimer to the 
related Web pages that makes clearer that neither the independent 
researcher's level of expertise nor his or her fee schedule are 
eligibility factors for inclusion on the listing.

Scope of the Listing

    Several members of the public expressed concerns that the proposed 
collection did not make clear that this listing is limited to 
individuals available to do research in person at NARA facilities. On 
the application form, item 1 of the conditions for inclusion on the 
listing provides that stipulation, as does each of the related Web 
pages.

Extent of the Information About Each Independent Researcher

    Several members of the public recommended the inclusion of more 
information about the independent researcher's level of expertise, 
skills, and research specialties (e.g., listing motion pictures as a 
separate audiovisual type) in the listing. The listing has been 
modified to include motion pictures as a separate audiovisual type and 
organized to more closely correlate with similar information elsewhere 
on our Web site. The information collection, however, is intended to 
gather only the amount of information necessary to provide a link 
between our customers who are unable to visit our facilities and 
independent researchers who may potentially be able to help them. 
Information that demonstrates the degree of experience and special 
skills claimed by an independent researcher is more appropriately 
disseminated by that individual, through--for example--that 
individual's Web site (which may be linked from our listing at the 
discretion of the independent researcher).

Requirements for Retention of Researchers on the Listing

    A few members of the public requested clarification of the 
conditions and procedures for remaining on the listing. These issues 
included the process for updating information on the listing and the 
penalties for inappropriate use of NARA facilities by independent 
researchers. Paragraphs 5 and 6 of the conditions on the application 
form for inclusion on the independent researcher listing have been 
amended to provide more detail about the process for updating 
information on the listing and the consequences of independent 
researchers' violation of NARA regulations of use of our facilities.

Dissemination of the Listing

    A few members of the public requested clarification of the status 
of existing unofficial listings and two separate official special media 
reproduction services vendors lists. Distribution of the new 
independent researchers listing will render all previous unofficial 
listings obsolete and unusable. We will continue to disseminate the 
special media reproduction services vendors listings, which provide 
information about a number of private vendors who supply digital, 
photographic, and oversize electrostatic reproductions of still 
pictures, maps, plans, drawings, and aerial photographs; and copies of 
film and broadcast quality videotapes in our holdings. Individuals on 
those two listings who also offer independent research services will be 
free to participate in the proposed independent researchers listing.
    NARA has submitted the described information collection to OMB for 
approval.
    In response to this notice, comments and suggestions should address 
one or more of the following points: (a) Whether the proposed 
information collection is necessary for the proper performance of the 
functions of NARA; (b) the accuracy of NARA's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including the use of information technology. In this notice, NARA is 
soliciting comments concerning the following information collection:
    Title: Independent Researcher Listing Application Form.
    OMB number: 3095-NEW.
    Agency form number: NA Form 14115.
    Type of review: Regular.
    Affected public: Business or for-profit, nonprofit organizations 
and institutions, federal, state and local government agencies, and 
individuals or households.
    Estimated number of respondents: 100.
    Estimated time per response: 9 minutes.
    Frequency of response: On occasion.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 15 hours.
    Abstract: NARA is not authorized or funded to undertake in-depth 
research into the records within our holdings. Some customers, however, 
are not able to undertake such research themselves due to a variety of 
reasons, including geographic distance from our facilities, lack of 
time, and financial constraints. In the past, NARA has provided these 
individuals, on request, information about independent researchers who 
had advised us, on their own initiative, that they were interested in 
performing freelance research for hire at our facilities. Following a 
recent review of this process, however, NARA concluded that the 
information was neither collected, maintained, nor disseminated in the 
most efficient and effective manner. To better serve all customers, 
NARA created NA Form 14115,

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Independent Researcher Listing Application Form. The new form will help 
us to improve our program efficiency and effectiveness, as mandated by 
the Government Performance and Results Act, and enhance service to our 
customers.

    Dated: June 24, 2003.
L. Reynolds Cahoon,
Assistant Archivist for Human Resources and Information Services.
[FR Doc. 03-16510 Filed 6-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7515-01-P