[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71080-71081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26926]


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THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES


Proposed Collection, Comment Request, Library Workforce

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 
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 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 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 submissions of responses.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Rebecca Danvers, Director of Research and

[[Page 71081]]

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 Services 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 library services through the 
development of a strong library workforce by supporting activities that 
educate, recruit and train persons in library and information science, 
particularly in areas of new technology and other critical needs, 
including graduate fellowships, traineeships, institutes, or other 
programs. This solicitation is to develop plans to collect information 
to assist IMLS understand library and information science (LIS) 
workforce needs, including supply and demand, factors that affect them, 
existing workforce projections.

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 
improved workforce planning including strategies for recruitment and 
retention of workers. IMLS is seeking assistance in developing specific 
plans to collect information from libraries and other information 
industry employers of librarians, librarians and other information 
professionals, and graduate schools of library and information science. 
Information to be collected from libraries and other employers of LIS 
professionals includes current and projected employment in terms of 
numbers of positions (filled and vacant), functional specialization, 
educational requirements, skill/competency requirements, salaries and 
benefits, demographics, annual budget/expenditures, constituency or 
market size. Information to be collected from LIS professionals 
includes current employment, career path and career progression, 
professional association/union membership and demographics. Information 
to be collected from the graduate LIS schools includes current and 
projected program offerings, recruitment, enrollment, graduation, 
placement, alumni tracking. These information collections will be based 
on geographic location (State and locality), type of employing 
organization and functionality of the work. A great deal of information 
has been collected on the LIS workforce, e.g., by BLS, NCES and 
professional societies. The information IMLS collects should build on, 
but not duplicate, existing or ongoing collections.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: National Study on the Future of Librarians in the Workforce.
    OMB Number: n/a.
    Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: One time.
    Affected Public: Libraries and other information industry 
organizations, librarians and other information professionals, graduate 
schools of library and information science.
    Number of Respondents: 27,000 libraries, 1,000 information industry 
employers of LIS professionals, 2,500 LIS professionals, and 60 
graduate schools of library and information science.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 2 hours per library/employer; 30 
minutes per professional, 3 hour per graduate school.
    Total Burden Hours: 57,430.
    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. 04-26926 Filed 12-7-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-M