Institute of Museum and Library Services; Submission for OMB Emergency Review, Comment Request

NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

Institute of Museum and Library Services; Submission for OMB

Emergency Review, Comment Request

January 24, 1997.

AGENCY: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library Services has submitted the

following public information collection request (ICR) to the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB for review and approval in accordance with

the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter

35). A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation may be

obtained by calling the Institute of Museum and Library Services,

Director of Public and Legislative Affairs, Mamie Bittner (202) 606-

8536. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf

(TTY/TDD) may call (202) 606-8636 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Eastern time, Monday through Friday. BACKGROUND: Public Law 104-208

enacted on September 30, 1996 contains the Library Services and

Technology Act, a reauthorization and refocusing of federal library

programs. This legislation retains the state-based approach to library

programs and sharpens the focus to two key priorities: information

access through technology and information empowerment through special

services. The Institute requires emergency clearance for this paperwork

to comply with the legislative requirement that, in order to be

eligible to receive a grant, State library administrative agencies must

submit a State plan to the director of IMLS no later than April 1,

1997.

Public Law 104-208 authorizes the Director of the Institute of

Museum and Library Services to make grants to States to assist them

to--

(1) Consolidate Federal library service programs;

(2) Stimulate excellence and promote access to learning and

information resources in all types of libraries for individuals of all

ages;

(3) Promote library services that provide all users access to

information through State, regional, national and international

electronic networks;

(4) Provide linkages among and between libraries;

(5) Promote targeted library services to people of diverse

geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals

with disabilities, and to people with limited functional literacy or

information skills.

Under Section 224(a)(2), the State plan shall cover a period of 5

years. Section 224(b) requires that the State plan shall

(1) Establish goals, and specify priorities, for the State

consistent with the purposes of the subtitle;

(2) Describe activities that are consistent with the goals and

priorities established under paragraph (1), the purposes of this

subtitle, and section 231, that the State library administrative agency

will carry out during such year using such grant;

(3) Describe the procedures that such agency will use to carry out

the activities described in paragraph (2);

(4) Describe the methodology that such agency will use to evaluate

the success of the activities established under paragraph (2) in

achieving the goals and meeting the priorities described in paragraph

(1);

(5) Describe the procedures that such agency will use to involve

libraries and library users throughout the State in policy decisions

regarding implementation of this subtitle; and

(6) Provide assurances satisfactory to the Director that such

agency will make such reports, in such form and containing such

information, as the Director may reasonably require to carry out this

subtitle and to determine the extent to which funds provided under this

subtitle have been effective in carrying out the purposes of this

subtitle.

Section 224(c) requires each State library administrative agency

receiving a grant under this subtitle to independently evaluate, and

report to the Director regarding, the activities assisted under this

subtitle, prior to the end of the 5-year plan.

DATES: Comments must be submitted by February 18, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be sent to Office of Information and

Regulatory Affairs, Attn.: OMB Desk Officer for the Institute of Museum

and Library Services, NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, (202) 395-7316.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OMB 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 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: Library Services and Technology Act Five Year Plan.

OMB Number: New.

Agency Number: 3137.

Frequency: Once.

Affected Public: State Library Administrative Agencies.

[[Page 5254]]

Number of Respondents: 55.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 90 hours.

Total Burden Hours: 4,950.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total Annual Costs: 0.

Description: This State plan is needed to assist in determining

each State's compliance with the enabling statute, and to provide

information for the IMLS Director's Report to Congress on the status of

library services nationwide.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mamie Bittner, Institute of Museum and

Library Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20506,

telephone (202) 606-8539.

Mamie Bittner,

Director of Legislative and Public Affairs.

[FR Doc. 97-2669 Filed 2-3-97; 8:45 am]

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