2020-22392. Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests: 2022-2024 IMLS Native American Library Services Basic Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity

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.

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 offer a grant program targeted to the needs of Native American libraries, aligned to the updated IMLS strategic plan for FY2018-2022, IMLS Native American Library Services Basic Grant Program. 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 4, 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 [e-mail], 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:

Anthony D. Smith, Associate Deputy Director for Discretionary Programs, Office of Library Services, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20024-2135. Mr. Smith can be reached by telephone: [phone], by email at [e-mail], 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 purpose of this collection is to support existing Native American library operations and maintain core library services, particularly as they relate to the following goals in the Museum and Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9141).

1. Expanding services for learning and access to information and educational resources in a variety of formats (including new and emerging technology), in all types of libraries, for individuals of all ages in order to support such individuals' need for education, lifelong learning, workforce development, economic and business development, health information, critical thinking skills, digital library skills, and financial literacy and other types of literacy skills.

2. Establishing or enhancing electronic and other linkages and improved coordination among and between libraries and entities, as described in 20 U.S.C. 9134(b)(6), for the purpose of improving the quality of and access to library and information services.

3. Providing training and professional development, including continuing education, to enhance the skills of the current library workforce and leadership, and advance the delivery of library and information services; and enhancing efforts to recruit future professionals, including those from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, to the field of library and information services.

4. Developing public and private partnerships with other agencies, tribes, and community-based organizations.

5. Targeting library services to individuals of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to individuals with limited functional literacy or information skills.

6. Targeting library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities, including children (from birth through age 17) from families with incomes below the poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget and revised annually in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 9902(2)) applicable to a family of the size involved.

7. Developing library services that provide all users access to information through local, State, regional, national, and international collaborations and networks.

8. Carrying out other activities consistent with the purposes of the Library Services and Technology subchapter of the IMLS statute (20 U.S.C. 9121).

Nonprofit organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians (as the term is defined in 20 U.S.C. 7517) are eligible to apply for funding under the Naïve Hawaiian Library Program.

This action is to renew the forms and instructions for the Notice of Funding Opportunities for the next three years.

Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Title: 2022-2024 IMLS Native American Library Services Basic Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity.

OMB Number: 3137-0093.

Frequency: Once per year.

Affected Public: Federally recognized tribes.

Number of Respondents: 233.

Estimated Average Burden per Response: 10 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 2,330 hours.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: n/a.

Total Annual Costs: TBD.

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 6, 2020.

Kim Miller,

Senior Grants Management Specialist, Institute of Museum and Library Services.