[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 139 (Thursday, July 20, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41262-41263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6370]


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NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES


Institute of Museum and Library Services, Proposed Collection, 
Comment Request; Partnership for a Nation of Learners (PNL) Evaluation: 
Professional Development Activities

AGENCY: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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 be properly assessed. The 
Institute of Museum and Library Services is currently soliciting 
comments concerning proposed evaluation research of participants in the 
Partnership for a Nation of Learners (PNL) professional development 
program.
    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 September 18, 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 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: Karen Motylewski, Evaluation Officer, 
Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street, NW., 9th 
Floor, Washington, DC. Ms. Motylewski can be reached by telephone: 202-
653-4686; fax: 202-653-8625; or e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: The Institute of Museum and 
Library Services (IMLS) is an independent Federal grant-making agency 
authorized by the Museum and Library Services Act, Public Law 104-208. 
IMLS is charged with promoting the improvement of library and museum 
services for the benefit of the public. Through grant-making and 
library and museum services, IMLS seeks to assure that libraries and 
museums are able to play an active role in cultivating an educated and 
engaged citizenry. IMLS builds the capacities of libraries and museums 
by encouraging the highest standards in management, public service, and 
education; leadership in the use of technology; strategic planning for 
results, and partnerships to create new networks that support lifelong 
learning and the effective management of assets. According to its 
strategic plan, IMLS is dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation 
of learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities. 
IMLS believes that libraries and museums are key resources for 
education in the United States and promote the vision of a learning 
society in which learning is seen as a community-wide responsibility 
supported by both formal and informal educational entities.
    Current Action: The Institute of Museum and Library Services and 
the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) are partnering under a 
Memorandum of Understanding to make competitive grants and support 
capacity-building for community partnerships among museum, library and 
public broadcasting outlets and other community organizations to meet 
locally identified community needs in an initiative titled Partnership 
for a Nation of Learners (PNL). The initiative includes professional 
development resources such as videoconferences and Web-based materials 
for potential applicants, grantees, and their partners. IMLS and CPB 
have publicized these opportunities and resources extensively. IMLS 
administers the grants process and CPB contracts for and manages the 
professional development and initiative-level evaluation functions. 
IMLS seeks clearance for the partnership to collect and analyze 
information related to evaluation of the PNL initiative.
    Overall, IMLS and CPB expect that as a result of PNL, museums, 
libraries, and public broadcasters will:
    1. Collaborate more frequently.
    2. Design and deliver projects that contribute significantly to 
solving or addressing community needs.
    3. Develop skills and knowledge required for effective 
collaboration.
    4. Increase community knowledge of the public value created by 
library, museum, and public broadcasting initiatives.
    The PNL professional development program has included following 
events:
    1. Videoconference 1, 11/31/05.
    2. Interactive Session 1: Getting Started with Community 
Collaboration, 1/19/06.
    3. Interactive Session 2: Recognizing the Need, 2/07/06.
    4. Interactive Session 3: Gathering the Talent, 3/09/06.
    5. Interactive Session 4: Designing for Impact, 4/12/06.
    6. Interactive Session 5: Managing for Success, 5/11/06.

[[Page 41263]]

    7. Interactive Session 2, 6/19/06.
    An estimated 3,000 persons will have engaged in one or more of 
these events. An online survey of participants will be conducted after 
the final event is completed in June 2006. the survey will give these 
individuals an opportunity to provide feedback on the activities of the 
PNL professional development program. The evaluation will yield 
information on what participants learned through the program, their 
current partnering activity, and their future interest in and need for 
learning about partnering. Information gathered will help IMLS and CPB 
to identify potential areas for improvement in PNL professional 
development activities, determine the level of need/interest for this 
resource within the key stakeholder groups, and assess the contribution 
of the professional development resources to meeting local needs and 
the IMLS and CPB missions.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: Partnership for a Nation of Learners (PNL) Evaluation.
    OMB Number: Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: One time Affected Public: Personnel of museums, museum 
organizations, libraries, library organizations, and public 
broadcasting outlets.
    Number of Respondents: 2400.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 10 minutes.
    Total Burden Hours: 400.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.
    Total Annual costs: 0.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Motylewski, Evaluation Officer, 
Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street, NW., 9th 
Floor, Washington, DC. Telephone: 202-653-4686; fax 202-653-8625; e-
mail: [email protected].

    Dated: July 17, 2006.
Rebecca Danvers,
Director, Office of Research and Technology.
[FR Doc. 06-6370 Filed 7-19-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-M