[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 11, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15643-15644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07377]


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THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

Institute of Museum and Library Services


Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests: 2019-2021 
IMLS Native American Basic Library Program Notice of Funding 
Opportunity

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

ACTION: Notice, request for comments on this 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 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. This pre-clearance consultation 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. By 
this notice, IMLS is soliciting comments concerning a plan to offer a 
grant program targeted to the needs of Native American libraries, 
aligned to the updated IMLS Strategic Framework for 2019-2021, IMLS 
Native American Basic Library Program.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before June 8, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Dr. Sandra Webb, Senior Advisor, Office of 
the Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 L'Enfant 
Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20024-2135. Dr. Webb can be 
reached by Telephone: 202-653-4718, Fax: 202-653-4608, or by email at 
[email protected], or by teletype (TTY/TDD) for persons with hearing 
difficulty at 202-653-4614.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Sandra Webb, Senior Advisor, 
Office of the Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 
L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20024-2135. Dr. 
Webb can be reached by Telephone: 202-653-4718, Fax: 202-653-4608, or 
by email at [email protected], or by teletype (TTY/TDD) for persons with 
hearing difficulty at 202-653-4614.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source 
of federal support for the nation's approximately 120,000 libraries and 
35,000 museums and related organizations. Our mission is to inspire 
libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and 
cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, 
and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that 
make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn 
more, visit www.imls.gov.

II. Current Actions

    Native American Basic Grants support existing library operations 
and maintain core library services, particularly as they relate to the 
following goals in the Museum and Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. 
9141).
    1. Expanding services for learning and access to information and 
educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of 
libraries, for individuals of all ages in order to support such 
individuals' need for education, lifelong learning, workforce 
development, and digital library skills.
    2. Establishing or enhancing electronic and other linkages and 
improved coordination among and between libraries and entities, as 
described in 20 U.S.C. 9134(b)(6), for the purpose of improving the 
quality of

[[Page 15644]]

and access to library and information services.
    3. (a) Providing training and professional development, including 
continuing education, to enhance the skills of the current library 
workforce and leadership, and advance the delivery of library and 
information services.
    (b) Enhancing efforts to recruit future professionals to the field 
of library and information services.
    4. Developing public and private partnerships with other agencies 
and community-based organizations.
    5. Targeting library services to individuals of diverse geographic, 
cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with 
disabilities, and to individuals with limited functional literacy or 
information skills.
    6. Targeting library and information services to persons having 
difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural 
communities, including children (from birth through age 17) from 
families with incomes below the poverty line (as defined by the Office 
of Management and Budget and revised annually in accordance with 
section 9902(2) of Title 42) applicable to a family of the size 
involved.
    7. Developing library services that provide all users access to 
information through local, State, regional, national, and international 
collaborations and networks.
    8. Carrying out other activities consistent with the purposes of 
the Library Services and Technology subchapter of the IMLS statute (20 
U.S.C. 9121).
    Indian tribes are eligible to apply for funding under the Native 
American Library Services Enhancement Grant program. Entities such as 
libraries, schools, tribal colleges, or departments of education are 
not eligible applicants, although they may be involved in the 
administration of this program and their staff may serve as project 
directors in partnership with an eligible applicant.
    For purposes of funding under this program, ``Indian tribe'' means 
any tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, 
including any Alaska native village, regional corporation, or village 
corporation (as defined in, or established pursuant to, the Alaska 
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.)), which is 
recognized by the Secretary of the Interior as eligible for the special 
programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because 
of their status as Indians. A list of eligible entities is available 
from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
    To be eligible for this program you must be able to document an 
existing library that meets, at a minimum, three basic criteria: (1) 
Regularly scheduled hours, (2) staff, and (3) materials available for 
library users.
    This action is to renew the forms and instructions for the Notice 
of Funding Opportunities for the next three years.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: 2019-2021 IMLS Native American Basic Library Program Notice 
of Funding Opportunity.
    OMB Number: 3137-0093.
    Frequency: Once per year.
    Affected Public: American Indian tribes recognized by the Secretary 
of the Interior.
    Number of Respondents: 233.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: 10 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 2330 hours.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: n/a.
    Total Annual costs: $66,010.
    Public Comments Invited: Comments submitted in response to this 
notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB's 
clearance of this information collection.
    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.

    Dated: April 5, 2018.
Kim Miller,
Grants Management Specialist, Office of Grant Policy and Management.
[FR Doc. 2018-07377 Filed 4-10-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-P