[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 4, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68199-68200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23424]


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THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES


Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Assessing the Impact 
of Access to Computers and the Internet and to Related Services at 
Public Libraries on Individuals, Families, and Communities

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library Service (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. Currently the Institute of Museum and Library Services is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed study to assess the impact 
of access to computers and the Internet and to related services at 
public libraries on individuals, families, and communities.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before February 4, 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 submissions of responses.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Mary Downs, Ph.D., Research Officer, 
Office of Policy, Planning, Research, and Communications, Institute of 
Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street, NW., 9th floor, Washington, 
DC 20036, by telephone: 202-653-4682; fax: 202-653-4625; or by e-mail 
at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

1. 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.

[[Page 68200]]

II. Current Actions

    The purpose of the study is to undertake original research and 
analysis to identify measurable indicators of the social, economic, 
personal, and professional value of free access to computers, the 
Internet, and related services at public libraries, and of negative 
impact where service is weak or absent, and to provide new, reliable 
data on the benefits to individuals, families, and communities of these 
services and resources at public libraries. The study will be framed by 
these questions:
    (1) What are the demographics of people who use computers, the 
Internet, and related services in public libraries?
    (2) What information and resources provided by free access to 
computers, the Internet, and related services in public libraries are 
people using, across the spectrum of on-site and off-site use?
    (3) How do individuals, families, and communities benefit (with a 
focus on social, economic, personal, and professional well-being) from 
free access to computers, the Internet, and related services at public 
libraries?
    (4) What reliable indicators can measure the social, economic, 
personal, and/or professional well-being of individuals, families, and 
communities that result from access to computers, the Internet, and 
related services at public libraries?
    (5) What correlations can be made between the benefits obtained 
through access to computers and the Internet and a range of demographic 
variables? What correlations can be made to type, level, or volume of 
related services?
    (6) What computer and Internet services and resources are lacking 
at public libraries that, if provided, could bring about greater 
benefit?
    (7) What indicators of negative impact can be identified where free 
access to computers and the Internet is weak or absent?
    Once completed, the results of the study will be issued as a report 
that will be made widely available to inform and benefit libraries, the 
library research field, and the public at large.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: Assessing the Impact of Access to Computers and the Internet 
and to Related Services at Public Libraries on Individuals, Families, 
and Communities.
    OMB Number: To be determined.
    Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: One time.
    Affected Public: General public, libraries, State Library 
Administrative agencies, State and local governments.
    Number of Respondents: To be determined.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: To be determined.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: To be determined.
    Total Costs: To be determined.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Downs, Ph.D., Research Officer, 
Office of Policy, Planning, Research, and Communications, Institute of 
Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street, NW., 9th Floor, Washington, 
DC, by telephone: 202-653-4630; fax: 202-653-4600; or e-mail: 
[email protected].

    Dated: November 26, 2007.
Barbara G. Smith,
E-Projects Officer, Institute of Museum & Library Services.
[FR Doc. E7-23424 Filed 12-3-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-P