[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 237 (Wednesday, December 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68954-68955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30554]


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THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES


Proposed Collection, Comment Request, Technology and Digitization 
Survey

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 study of the status of use of 
technology and digitization activities in the nation's museums and 
libraries.
    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 February 9, 2004.
    IMLS is particularly interested in comments that help the agency 
to:
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collocation of information including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    [sbull] Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    [sbull] 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: Barbara Smith, Technology Officer, 
Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Room 223, Washington, DC 20506. Ms. Smith can be reached on Telephone: 
202-606-5254 Fax: 202-606-0395 or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent 
Federal grant-making agency authorized by the Museum and Library 
Services Act, Pub. L. 104-208. 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 2003 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

[[Page 68955]]

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: Technology and Digitization Survey.
    OMB Number: n/a.
    Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: One time.
    Affected Public: Museums, libraries and archives.
    Number of Respondents: 2000.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 1 hour.
    Total Burden Hours: 2000.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.
    Total Annual costs: 0.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Danvers, Director of the 
Office of Research and Technology, Institute of Museum and Library 
Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20506, 
telephone (202) 606-2478.

    Dated: December 2, 2003.
Rebecca Danvers,
Director, Office of Research and Technology.
[FR Doc. 03-30554 Filed 12-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-M