[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 213 (Tuesday, November 3, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69649-69650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24347]


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NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

Institute of Museum and Library Services


Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests: 2023-2027 
IMLS Grants to States Program Five-Year State Plan Guidelines for State 
Library Administrative Agencies

AGENCY: Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Foundation 
for 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 continue 
the IMLS Grants to States Program Five-Year State Plan Guidelines for 
State Library Administrative Agencies instructions. Each State Library 
Administrative Agency (SLAA) must submit a plan that details library 
services goals for a five-year period to receive funding. 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 December 30, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Connie Bodner, Ph.D., Director of Grants 
Policy and Management, Office 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, by email at [email protected], or by teletype 
(TTY/TDD) for persons with hearing difficulty at 202-653-4614. Office 
hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Teresa DeVoe, Associate Deputy 
Director of State Programs, Office of Library Services, Institute of 
Museum and Library Services, 955 L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, 
Washington, DC 20024-2135. Ms. DeVoe can be reached by telephone at 
202-653-4778, by email at [email protected], or by teletype (TTY/TDD) for 
persons with hearing difficulty at 202-653-4614. Office hours are from 
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: IMLS is particularly interested in public 
comment 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.

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

    The Grants to States program is the largest grant program 
administered by IMLS, providing financial assistance to develop library 
services throughout the States, U.S. Territories, and the Freely 
Associated States. To receive funds under the Grants to States program, 
each established State Library Administrative Agency (SLAA) must submit 
to the Director of IMLS a Five-Year State Plan detailing certain goals, 
assurances, and procedures for a five-year period. 20 U.S.C. 9134(a). 
The upcoming five-year period will cover federal fiscal years 2023-
2027, with Five-Year State Plans

[[Page 69650]]

due to IMLS on June 30, 2022. Guidelines for the Five-Year State Plans 
have already been developed and approved by OMB, and this update to the 
guidelines will incorporate the latest language from the revised Museum 
and Library Services Act of 2018. This language does not substantively 
change the guidelines but reflects minor updates to the purposes of the 
LSTA, to which the SLAAs must adhere when creating goals for the new 
Five-Year State Plans.
    The Five-Year State Plan identifies a State's library needs, sets 
forth the activities to be taken toward meeting the identified needs 
supported with the assistance of Federal funds made available under the 
Library Services and Technology Act (``LSTA''), and provides assurances 
that the officially designated SLAA has the fiscal and legal authority 
and capability to administer all aspects of any award under the Grants 
to States program. 20 U.S.C. 9122(5). The Five-Year State Plan must 
also provide assurances for establishing the State's policies, 
priorities, criteria and procedures necessary to the implementation of 
all programs under the LSTA. 20 U.S.C. 9122(5).
    This action is to renew the forms and instructions for the IMLS 
Grants to States Program Five-Year State Plan Guidelines for State 
Library Administrative Agencies for the next three years.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: 2023-2027 IMLS Grants to States Program Five-Year State Plan 
Guidelines for State Library Administrative Agencies.
    OMB Number: 3137-0029.
    Frequency: Once every five years.
    Affected Public: State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs).
    Number of Respondents: 59.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: 90 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 5,310 hours.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: n/a.
    Total Annual Costs: $158,078.70.
    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: October 29, 2020.
Kim Miller,
Senior Grants Management Specialist, Institute of Museum and Library 
Services.
[FR Doc. 2020-24347 Filed 11-2-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-P