[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61378-61379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28001]


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THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES


Proposed Collection, Museums for America Grant Program Evaluation

AGENCY: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

ACTION: Notice, request for comments, collection of information

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SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), as part 
of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, 
conducts a preclearance 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 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).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 
purpose of this Notice is to solicit comments concerning the proposed 
IMLS study of the impacts of the IMLS Museums for America Grant 
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 January 15, 2010. 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: Erica Pastore, Program Analyst, Institute 
of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M St., NW., Washington, DC 20036. 
Telephone: 202-653-4647, Fax: 202-653-4611 or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is an 
independent Federal grant-making agency and is the primary source of 
federal support for the Nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. 
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. IMLS is responsible for identifying national 
needs for, and trends of, museum and library services funded by IMLS; 
reporting on the impact and effectiveness of programs conducted with 
funds made available by IMLS in addressing such needs; and identifying,

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and disseminating information on, the best practices of such programs. 
(20 U.S.C. 9108). This Notice is to solicit comments on a program 
evaluation of the IMLS Museums for America Grant Program, which began 
in 2004.

II. Current Actions

    A current IMLS research initiative is an analysis of grants made to 
museums through the Museums for America program between 2004 and 2009. 
The goal is to assess the outcomes and impact of such grants on 
institutions and their communities. As part of this research 
initiative, a survey, which is the subject of this Notice, will be 
undertaken to solicit information from past successful and unsuccessful 
grant applicants about the application process and the subsequent 
results on their programs. A small number of museum staff will be 
interviewed by phone or in person as part of the project case studies. 
These information collections will be developed based on what is needed 
to undertake an analysis and case studies of grant results. The 
information IMLS collects will build on, but not duplicate existing or 
ongoing collections.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: Museums for America Grant Program Evaluation.
    OMB Number: To be determined.
    Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: One time.
    Affected Public: Museums.
    Number of Respondents: To be determined.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: To be determined.
    Total Burden Hours: To be determined.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: To be determined.
    Total Annual costs: To be determined.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erica Pastore, Program Analyst, Office 
of Policy, Planning, Research and Communication, Institute of Museum 
and Library Services, 1800 M St., NW., Washington, DC 20036, e-mail: 
[email protected] or telephone (202) 653-4647.

    Dated: November 17, 2009.
Kim Miller,
Management Analyst, Office of Policy, Planning, Research, and 
Communication.
[FR Doc. E9-28001 Filed 11-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-P