[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 4, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24687-24688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10082]


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NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES


Survey of the Status of Digitization and Technology in the 
Nation's Museums, Libraries and Archives

AGENCY: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

ACTION: Notice of Requests for Information Collection, Submission for 
OMB Review.

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SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library Services announces the 
following information collection has been submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget for review and approval in accordance with the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). 
A copy of the proposed forms may be obtained by calling the Institute 
of Museum and Library Services, Director of Research and Technology, 
Rebecca Danvers at (202) 606-2478. Individuals who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY/TDD) may call (202) 606-
8636.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 3, 2004. The OMB is 
particularly interested in comments which:
     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 submission of responses.

ADDRESSES: For a copy of the form contact: Rebecca Danvers, Director of 
Research and Technology, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1100 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Room 223, Washington, DC 20506.

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, as amended. 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 includes a strong emphasis on 
supporting library services through the use of technology, on assisting 
museums in their educational role, and in modernizing their methods and 
facilities. This survey will assist IMLS in understanding the current 
status and capacity of museums and libraries to use digitization and 
technology to deliver educational resources to students, life-long 
learners, underserved populations, and the general public.
    Pub. L. 104-208 enacted on September 30, 1996, as amended, contains 
the Library Services and Technology Act and the Museum Services Act.
    Pub. L. 104-208 authorizes the Director of the Institute of Museum 
and Library Services to make grants to States, and to Indian tribes and 
to organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians 
for--
    (1) Expanding services for learning and access to information and 
educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of 
libraries, for individuals of all ages;
    (2) Developing library services that provide all users access to 
information through local, State, regional, national, and international 
electronic networks;
    (3) Providing electronic and other linkages among and between all 
types of libraries;
    (4) Developing public and private partnerships with other agencies 
and community-based organizations;
    (5) Targeting library services to individuals of diverse 
geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals 
with disabilities, and to individuals with limited functional literacy 
or information skills; and
    (6) Targeting library and information services to persons having 
difficulty using a library and to understand urban and rural 
communities, including children (from birth through age 17) from 
families with incomes below the poverty line (as defined by the Office 
of Management and Budget and revised annually in accordance with 
section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 
9902(2)) applicable to a family of the size involved.
    Pub. L. 104-208 also provides authority for the Director to make 
grants, and to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements for 
activities that may include
    (1) Education, recruitment, and training of persons in library and 
information science, particularly in areas of new technology and other 
critical needs, including graduate fellowships, traineeships, 
institutes and other programs.
    (2) Research and demonstration projects related to the improvement 
of libraries, education in library and information science, enhancement 
of library services through effective and efficient use of new 
technologies, and dissemination of information derived from such 
projects;
    (3) Preserving or digitization of library materials and resources, 
giving priority to projects emphasizing coordination, avoidance of 
duplication, and access by researchers beyond the institution of 
library entity undertaking the project; and
    (4) Model programs demonstrating cooperative efforts between 
libraries and museums.
    Pub. L. 104-208 also provides authority for the Director to make 
grants to museums, and to Indian tribes and to organizations that 
primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians for activities such as--
    (1) Supporting museums in providing learning and access to 
collections, information, and educational resources in a variety of 
formats (including exhibitions, programs, publications, and websites) 
for individuals of all ages;
    (2) supporting museums in building learning partnerships with the 
Nation's

[[Page 24688]]

schools and developing museum resources and programs in support of 
State and local school curricula;
    (3) supporting museums in assessing, conserving, researching, 
maintaining, and exhibiting their collections, and in providing 
educational programs to the public through the use of their 
collections;
    (4) stimulating greater collaboration among museums, libraries, 
schools, and other community organizations in order to share resources 
and strengthen communities;
    (5) encouraging the use of new technologies and broadcast media to 
enhance access to museum collections, programs, and services;
    (6) supporting museums in providing services to people of diverse 
geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds and to individuals 
with disabilities;
    (7) supporting museums in developing and carrying out specialized 
programs for specific segments of the public, such as programs for 
urban neighborhoods, rural areas, Indian reservations, and State 
institutions;
    (8) supporting professional development and technical assistance 
programs to enhance museum operations at all levels, in order to ensure 
the highest standards in all aspects of museum operations;
    (9) supporting museums in research, program evaluation, and the 
collection and dissemination of information to museum professionals and 
the public; and
    (10) encouraging, supporting, and disseminating model programs of 
museum and library collaboration.
    The Director is also authorized to enter into contracts and 
cooperative agreements with appropriate entities to strengthen museum 
services.

II. Current Actions

    One of the core duties of the Institute of Museum and Library 
Services, as stated in its strategic plan, is to create and sustain a 
nation of learners by building the capacity of libraries and museums. 
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 U.S. library, museum and archive 
communities to assess their digitization readiness and technological 
capacity. 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.
    Title: Technology and Digitization Survey.
    OMB Number: None.
    Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: One time.
    Affected Public: Museums, libraries, archives and State Library 
Administrative Agencies.
    Number of Respondents: 6366.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 1 hour.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 1 hour.
    Total Burden Hours: 6366.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.
    Total Annual Costs: $247,080.
    Contact: Comments should be sent to the 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.

    Dated: April 29, 2004.
Rebecca Danvers,
Director of Research and Technology.
[FR Doc. 04-10082 Filed 5-3-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-M