[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 220 (Thursday, November 14, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61942-61943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-24725]


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THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

Institute of Museum and Library Services


Notice of Proposed Information Collection Request: ``Museums 
Empowered: Professional Development Opportunities for Museum Staff''--A 
Museums for America Special Initiative

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 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. The 
purpose of this Notice is to solicit comments concerning Museums 
Empowered: Professional Development and Capacity Building Opportunities 
for Museums--A Museums for America Special Initiative.
    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 January 12, 2020.
    The IMLS is particularly interested in comments which:
     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

[[Page 61943]]

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: For a copy of the documents contact: Mark Isaksen, Senior 
Museum Program Officer, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 
L'Enfant Plaza North, SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20024. Mr. Isaksen 
can be reached by telephone: 202-653-4662; fax: 202-653-4667; email: 
[email protected] or by or by teletype (TTY/TDD) for persons with 
hearing difficulty at 202-653-4614.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Miller, Grants Management 
Specialist, Office of Grants Policy and Management, Institute of Museum 
and Library Services, 955 L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, 
Washington, DC 20024-2135. Ms. Miller can be reached by Telephone: 202-
653-4762, 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 libraries and museums. We advance, 
support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related 
organizations through grant making, research, and policy development. 
Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to 
transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, 
visit www.imls.gov.

II. Current Actions

    To administer a special initiative in the Museums for America (MFA) 
grant program titled Museums Empowered: Professional Development 
Opportunities for Museum Staff--A Museums for America Special 
Initiative.
    Museums for America (MFA) grants support projects that strengthen 
the ability of an individual museum to serve its public. This is a 
special MFA initiative with the goal of strengthening the ability of an 
individual museum to serve its public through professional development 
activities that cross-cut various departments to generate systemic 
change within the museum.
    As centers of innovation and discovery, as well as catalysts of 
community revitalization, museums are at the forefront of change in our 
communities. Like any other institution, museums need to remain dynamic 
to respond to fast-evolving technological advances and changing 
demographics. Museums also need to generate and share outcomes-based 
data and results of their community impact and develop sustainable 
organizational structures and strategies for continued growth and 
vitality. Professional Development is critical for museums to deliver 
on these areas of need.
    To support and empower museums of all sizes and disciplines in 
responding to the evolving needs of the museum profession and changes 
in their communities, this MFA special initiative has four project 
categories for professional development: 1. Diversity and Inclusion 2. 
Digital Technology 3. Evaluation 4. Organizational Management. 
Potential projects will address one of these four categories and help 
strengthen the ability of an individual museum to better serve its 
public. Projects will utilize comprehensive strategies and frameworks 
to support professional development. Projects should cross-cut various 
departments and result in systemic change within the museum.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: ``Museums Empowered: Professional Development Opportunities 
for Museum Staff''--A Museums for America Special Initiative.
    OMB Number: 3137-0107.
    Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Affected Public: Museums that meet the IMLS Museums for America 
institutional eligibility criteria.
    Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: 40 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,000.
    Total Annualized cost to respondents: $112,480.00.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.
    Total Annualized Cost to Federal Government: $14,471.88.
    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.

    Dated: November 8, 2019.
Kim Miller,
Grants Management Specialist, Institute of Museum and Library Services.
[FR Doc. 2019-24725 Filed 11-13-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7036-01-P