[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71079-71080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26925]


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THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES


Proposed Collection, Comment Request, User Study

AGENCY: Institute of Museum and Library Services, NFAH.

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 
pre-clearance 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 by 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

[[Page 71080]]

 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 7, 2005.
    IMLS is particularly interested in comments that help the agency 
to:
     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 collocation 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 submissions of responses.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Rebecca Danvers, Director of Research and 
Technology, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1100 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Room 223, Washington, DC 20506. Dr. Danvers can be reached 
on telephone: (202) 606-2478, fax: (202) 606-0395 or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Institute of Museum and Library Service is an independent 
Federal grant-making agency authorized by the Museum and Library 
Services Act, 20 U.S.C. Section 9101, et seq. 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 museum and library services 
through effective and efficient use of new technologies. This 
solicitation is to develop plans to collect information to assist IMLS 
understand the information needs and expectations of users and 
potential users of online information including, but not limited to 
information currently available online through libraries, museums and 
other cultural heritage institutions, and the Internet, and of the 
impacts of having such information.

II. Current Action

    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 services for a 
diverse public. This goal will be accomplished in part by promoting 
access to online resources available through museums and libraries and 
to promote the development of online resources that have positive 
impact. IMLS is seeking assistance in developing specific plans to 
collect information from library users, museum users and Internet users 
to understand their information needs, their preference for various 
sources of information and factors affecting their choice, the 
usefulness and value of the information accessed, and to identify 
content that should be made available online along with mechanisms and 
resources needed to connect users to that content. These information 
collections will be developed based on the geographic location and 
demographic characteristics of the populations studied. Some 
information on online information access has been collected, most 
notably the Pew Internet and American Life project. The information 
IMLS collects should build on, but not duplicate, existing or ongoing 
collections.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: National Study of Users and Potential Users of Online 
Information.
    OMB Number: n/a.
    Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: One time.
    Affected Public: Users of libraries, museums and the Internet.
    Number of Respondents: 5,000.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 10-15 minutes.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,042.
    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 3, 2004.
Rebecca Danvers,
Director, Office of Research and Technology.
[FR Doc. 04-26925 Filed 12-7-04; 8:45 am]
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