[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 246 (Friday, December 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76330-76331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24406]


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THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES


Proposed Collection, Library Workforce Study, Submission for OMB 
Review

AGENCY: Agency Institute of Museum and Library Services.

ACTION: Notice of requests for new information collection approval.

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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 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 January 23, 2006. 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: Rebecca Danvers, Director of Research and Technology, 
Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street NW., 9th Floor, 
Washington, DC,

[[Page 76331]]

20036; telephone 202-653-4680, fax 202-653-4625, e-mail 
[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. This solicitation is a web-
based survey to collect information to assist IMLS understand library 
and information science (LIS) workforce needs, including supply and 
demand, factors that affect them, and 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 developing specific plans to collect 
information from libraries, librarians and other information 
professionals. Information to be collected from libraries 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. 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, librarians and other information 
professionals.
    Number of Respondents: 40,000 libraries, 40,000 LIS professionals.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: maximum of 2 hours per library (for 
the 27,000 central and single the time is up to two hours and for 
13,000 branch libraries the time is less than one hour); 15 minutes per 
librarian/information professional.
    Total Burden Hours: 77,000.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup costs: 0.
    Total Annual Costs: $166,295.
    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: December 20, 2005.
Rebecca Danvers,
Director, Office of Research and Technology.
[FR Doc. 05-24406 Filed 12-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-M