2023-27900. Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests: Museums for All Program Evaluation

AGENCY:

Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Foundation on 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 preclearance 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. The purpose of this Notice is to solicit comments concerning the proposed IMLS study of the impacts of the IMLS Museums for All Initiative. 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 February 18, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to Sandra Narva, Acting 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. Ms. Narva can be reached by Telephone: [phone] or by email at [e-mail]. 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:

Helen Wechsler, Supervisory Grants Management Specialist, Office of Museum Services, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20024–2135. Ms. Wechsler can be reached by Telephone: [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. 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. 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

This Notice is to solicit comments on a program evaluation of the IMLS Museums for All Initiative, which began in 2014. A current IMLS cooperative agreement includes an evaluation of the Museums for All initiative, a program through which participating institutions offer free or reduced-price admission to families facing financial need. The goal is to assess the impact of the Museums for All initiative on participating institutions. As part of this evaluation effort, a questionnaire, which is the subject of this Notice, will be undertaken to solicit information from participating institutions in Museums for All about the initiative's implementation, benefits, and areas for improvement. A small number of participating institution staff will be interviewed virtually or in person as part of case study research. These information collections will be developed based on what is needed to undertake the evaluation. The information IMLS collects will build on, but not duplicate existing or ongoing information collections.

Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Title: Museums for All Program Evaluation.

OMB Control Number: To be determined.

Agency Number: 3137–NEW.

Affected Public: Museums.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: TBD.

Frequency of Response: One time.

Average Minutes per Response: TBD.

Total Burden Hours: TBD.

Total Burden (dollars): 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: December 14, 2023.

Suzanne Mbollo,

Grants Management Specialist, Institute of Museum and Library Services.