[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 241 (Monday, December 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 87462-87463]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27694]


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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, 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 to provide subject matter 
experts, 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 practice helps ensure that requested data can be provided 
in the agency's desired format; that respondents' reporting burden 
(time and financial resources) is minimized; that collection 
instruments are clearly understood and cover material to which 
respondents can be responsive; and, that the impact of collection 
requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The purpose of 
this Notice is to solicit comments related to conducting pre-tests of 
quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments and their 
related data collection procedures to improve the quality and usability 
of information collection instruments. 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 
ADDRESSES section below on or before February 16, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Sandra Narva, Acting Director of Grants 
Policy and Management, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 
L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20024-2135. Ms. 
Narva can be reached by telephone at 202-653-4634, or by email at 
[email protected]. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., E.T., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Persons who are deaf or 
hard of hearing (TTY users) can contact IMLS at 202-207-7858 via 711 
for TTY-Based Telecommunications Relay Service.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the documents contact: 
Jake Soffronoff, Survey Methodologist, Office of Research and 
Evaluation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 L'Enfant 
Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20024-2135. Mr. Soffronoff 
can be reached by telephone: 202-653-4648, or by email at 
[email protected]. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing (TTY 
users) can contact IMLS at 202-207-7858 via 711 for TTY-Based 
Telecommunications Relay Service.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: IMLS is especially 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.

I. Background

    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. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov.

[[Page 87463]]

II. Current Actions

    This notice proposes the Generic Clearance to Conduct Pre-Testing 
of Surveys.
    IMLS requests 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 
National Museum Survey, 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 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: Generic Clearance to Conduct Pre-Testing of Surveys.
    OMB Number: 3137-0125.
    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: TBD.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: TBD.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: TBD.
    Estimated Time per Response: TBD.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: TBD.

    Dated: December 12, 2023.
Suzanne Mbollo,
Grants Management Specialist, Institute of Museum and Library Services.
[FR Doc. 2023-27694 Filed 12-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-P