[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 212 (Thursday, November 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66862-66863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21929]


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NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES


National Study of Users and Potential Users of Online Information

AGENCY: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

ACTION: Notice, Request for Comments, Submission for OMB Approval.

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SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library Service 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 be properly assessed. 
Currently the Institute of Museum and Library Services is soliciting 
comments concerning the collection of 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.
    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 December 5, 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: Rebecca Danvers, Director of Research and Technology, 
Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street, NW., 9th 
Floor, Washington, DC 20036; telephone 202-653-4680, fax 202-653-4625, 
e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. 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. 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

[[Page 66863]]

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 Research 
and Technology, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M 
Street, NW., 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20036; telephone (202) 653-4680, 
fax (202) 653-4625, e-mail [email protected].

    Dated: October 27, 2005.
Rebecca Danvers,
Director, Office of Research and Technology.
[FR Doc. 05-21929 Filed 11-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-M