[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 6, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62683-62684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21706]


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NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES


Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Assessing Trends and 
Results of the Laura Bush 21st-Century Librarians Grant Program 2003-
2008

AGENCY: Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Foundation 
for the Arts and Humanities.

SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) 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 soliciting 
comments on a proposed study to assess the effectiveness of various 
methods used to distribute funds to the nation's museums.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before January 7, 2008.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 submission of responses.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Mamie Bittner, Deputy Director, Office of 
Policy, Planning, Research, and Communications, Institute of Museum and 
Library Services, 1800 M Street, NW., 9th Floor, Washington, DC. Ms. 
Bittner can be reached by telephone: 202-653-4630; fax: 202-653-4600; 
or e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Institute of Museum and Library Services is authorized by the 
Museum and Library Services Act, Public Law 108-81, and is the primary 
source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 
museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and 
museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute 
works at the national level and in coordination with state and local 
organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance 
learning and innovation; and support professional development.

II. Current Actions

    The IMLS Laura Bush 21st-Century Librarian grant program was 
initiated at the request of the President in 2002 to help address the 
anticipated retirement of a very large cohort of library professionals 
before the year 2010, and to help assure that libraries are well 
staffed and well prepared to meet the needs of a population that is 
steadily increasing in cultural and language diversity throughout the 
United States. This program has made 172 grants between 2003 and 2007. 
IMLS wishes to understand trends and results of grants and activities 
in the Laura Bush 21st-Century Librarian program to date. The analysis 
will be framed by five key questions:
    (1) What impact has this program made on numbers and demography of 
individuals seeking professional degrees and employment in the fields 
of library and information sciences?
    (2) What impact has this program made on the numbers and demography 
of individuals employed in library and information sciences, in library 
service, and in the education and training of library and information 
science personnel?
    (3) What impact has this program had on the career development of 
individuals employed in the delivery of library and information 
services, and in the education and training of such individuals?
    (4) What impact has this program made on the understanding of key 
issues and phenomena related to the delivery and effectiveness of 
library and information service?
    (5) Is there a continuing need for this program, and if so, what 
are the key needs that should be met in the next five years?
    Once completed, the results of the study will be incorporated into 
a report which will be made widely available to inform and benefit the 
museum community and the public at large.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: Assessing Trends an Results of the Laura Bush 21st-Century 
Librarians Grant Program 2003-2008.
    OMB Number: N/A.
    Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: One time.
    Affected Public: Libraries, State Library Administrative Agencies, 
institutions of higher education, library professional associations, 
Native American tribal governments, school officials and educators, and 
individuals.

[[Page 62684]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mamie Bittner, Deputy Director, Office 
of Policy, Planning, Research, and Communications, Institute of Museum 
and Library Services, 1800 M Street, NW., 9th Floor, Washington, DC. 
Ms. Bittner can be reached by telephone: 202-653-4630; fax: 202-653-
4600; or e-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: October 31, 2007.
Barbara Smith,
E-Projects Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-21706 Filed 11-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-P