[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 17, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 9956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03134]


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NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

Institute of Museum and Library Services


Submission for OMB Review, Comment Request, Proposed Collection: 
Generic Clearance To Conduct Pre-Testing of Surveys

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

ACTION: Submission for OMB Review, comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library Services announces the 
following information collection has been submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act. 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. This notice proposes a generic 
clearance to Conduct Pre-Testing of Surveys, comprising of test 
questionnaires and survey procedures, in order to improve the quality 
and usability of information collection instruments. For more 
information on the types of proposed information collection requests 
for pre-testing survey IMLS may administer, contact the individual 
listed below in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before March 16, 2021.
    OMB is particular 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 submission of responses).

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for proposed 
information collection requests should be sent within 30 days of 
publication of this Notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find 
this particular information collection request by selecting ``Institute 
of Museum and Library Services'' under ``Currently Under Review;'' then 
check ``Only Show ICR for Public Comment'' checkbox. Once you have 
found this information collection request, select ``Comment,'' and 
enter or upload your comment and information. Alternatively, please 
mail your written comments to Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Attn.: OMB Desk Officer for Education, Office of Management 
and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, or call (202) 395-7316.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Birnbaum, Ph.D., 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 at 202-653-4760, by email at [email protected], or by 
teletype (TTY/TDD) for persons with hearing difficulty at 202-653-4614. 
Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing (TTY users) can contact IMLS 
via Federal Relay at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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.
    Current Actions: This notice proposes a new three-year Generic 
Clearance to Conduct Pre-Testing of Surveys that will allow the agency 
to develop, test, and improve its surveys and methodologies. The 60-Day 
Notice was published in the Federal Register on July 10, 2020 (85 FR 
41629). No comments were received.
    IMLS envisions using a variety of techniques including but not 
limited to tests of various types of survey operations, focus groups, 
cognitive laboratory activities, pilot testing, exploratory interviews, 
experiments with questionnaire design, and usability testing of 
electronic data collection instruments.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.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title of Collection: Generic Clearance to Conduct Pre-Testing of 
Surveys 2020-2023.
    OMB Control Number: 3137-NEW.
    Agency Number: 3137.
    Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal governments; libraries; 
museums.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 650.
    Frequency of Response: Once per request.
    Average Hours per Response: 1.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 650.
    Total Annual Cost Burden: $18,915.00.
    Total Annual Federal Costs: $145,000.00.

    Dated: February 11, 2021.
Amanda M.F. Bakale,
Assistant General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2021-03134 Filed 2-16-21; 8:45 am]
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