2014-27652. Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests: Museums for All

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Notice, request for comments, 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 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). 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 an information collection from museums participating in the Museums for All 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 January 16, 2015.

IMLS is particularly 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.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to: Christopher J. Reich, Senior Advisor, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M St. NW., 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20036. Mr. Reich can be reached by Telephone: [phone], Fax: [phone], or by email at [e-mail], or by teletype (TTY/TDD) for persons with hearing difficulty at 202-653-4614.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of Federal support for the Nation's 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. The Institute's mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, learning and civic engagement. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with State and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. IMLS is responsible for identifying national needs for and trends in museum, library, and information services; measuring and reporting on the impact and effectiveness of museum, library and information services throughout the United States, including programs conducted with funds made available by IMLS; identifying, and disseminating information on, the best practices of such programs; and developing plans to improve museum, library and information services of the United States and strengthen national, State, local, regional, and international communications and cooperative networks (20 U.S.C. Chapter 72, 20 U.S.C. 9108).

II. Current Actions

The purpose of this collection is to support a program to increase access to museums for underserved audiences through Museums for All, a voluntary program inviting museums to allow Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card holders to receive reduced-price admission to their facilities. This information collection will obtain data from participating museums needed to administer the program, such as institution contact information and a staff person to administer the program. Because this is a new program, additional information will be collected to assess implementation of the program components, the efficacy of Agency supplied materials, and the impact of the program.

Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Title: Museums for All.

OMB Number: To Be Determined.

Frequency: 1.

Affected Public: The target population is museums that choose to participate in the Museums for All program.

Number of Respondents: 125 in first year.

Estimated Average Burden per Response: The burden per respondent is estimated to be an average of 60 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 125 hours (that is 60 minutes per respondent times 125 respondents equal 7,500 minutes or 125 hours).

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: n/a.

Total Annual costs: To be determined.

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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Christopher J. Reich, Senior Advisor, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M St. NW., 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20036. Mr. Reich can be reached by Telephone: [phone], Fax: [phone], or 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.

Dated: November 17, 2014.

Kim Miller,

Management Analyst.