[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 133 (Friday, July 10, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 41629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14794]



[[Page 41629]]

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NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

Institute of Museum and Library Services


Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests: Generic 
Clearance To Conduct Pre-Testing of Surveys

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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before September 6, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Dr. Connie Bodner, Director of Grants 
Policy and Management, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 
L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20024-2135. Dr. 
Bodner can be reached by telephone at 202-653-4636, or by email at 
[email protected], or by teletype (TTY/TDD) for persons with hearing 
difficulty at 202-653-4614.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the documents contact: 
Dr. Matthew Birnbaum, Senior Evaluation Officer, Office of Digital and 
Information Strategy, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 
L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20024-2135. Dr. 
Birnbaum can be reached by telephone: 202-653-4760, or by email at 
[email protected], or by teletype (TTY/TDD) for persons with hearing 
difficulty at 202-653-4614.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a new collection to conduct various 
procedures to test questionnaires and survey procedures to improve the 
quality and usability of information collection instruments. The Agency 
is especially interested in public comment addressing the following 
issues: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. A copy of the proposed information collection request can 
be obtained by contacting the individual listed in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice.

I. Background

    The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) 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

    IMLS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for a generic clearance that will allow IMLS to conduct a 
variety of data-gathering activities aimed at improving the quality and 
usability of information collection instruments associated with 
research and analysis activities, including but not limited to the 
Public Libraries Survey and the State Library Administrative Agencies 
Survey.
    IMLS envisions using a variety of techniques including field tests, 
respondent debriefing questionnaires, cognitive interviews, and focus 
groups in order to identify questionnaire and procedural problems, 
suggest solutions, and measure the relative effectiveness of 
alternative solutions.
    Following standard OMB requirements, IMLS will submit a change 
request to OMB for each data collection activity undertaken under this 
generic clearance. IMLS will provide OMB with the instruments and 
supporting materials describing the research project and specific pre-
testing activities.
    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).
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: Generic Clearance to Conduct Pre-Testing of Surveys.
    OMB Number: 3137-XXXX.
    Affected Public: The respondents will be identified at the time 
that each change request is submitted to OMB. Respondents will include 
State, Local, and Tribal governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 650.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 650.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 650 hours.

    Dated: July 6, 2020.
Kim Miller,
Senior Grants Management Specialist, Institute of Museum and Library 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2020-14794 Filed 7-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-P