2018-07377. Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests: 2019-2021 IMLS Native American Basic Library Program Notice of Funding Opportunity

AGENCY:

Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Foundation on 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 Framework for 2019-2021, IMLS Native American Basic Library 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 June 8, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to: Dr. Sandra Webb, Senior Advisor, Office of the Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20024-2135. Dr. Webb 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Sandra Webb, Senior Advisor, Office of the Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20024-2135. Dr. Webb 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 approximately 120,000 libraries and 35,000 museums and related organizations. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov.

II. Current Actions

Native American Basic Grants support existing 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, in all types of libraries, for individuals of all ages in order to support such individuals' need for education, lifelong learning, workforce development, and digital library 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. (a) 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.

(b) Enhancing efforts to recruit future professionals to the field of library and information services.

4. Developing public and private partnerships with other agencies 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 section 9902(2) of Title 42) 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).

Indian tribes are eligible to apply for funding under the Native American Library Services Enhancement Grant program. Entities such as libraries, schools, tribal colleges, or departments of education are not eligible applicants, although they may be involved in the administration of this program and their staff may serve as project directors in partnership with an eligible applicant.

For purposes of funding under this program, “Indian tribe” means any tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska native village, regional corporation, or village corporation (as defined in, or established pursuant to, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.)), which is recognized by the Secretary of the Interior as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. A list of eligible entities is available from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

To be eligible for this program you must be able to document an existing library that meets, at a minimum, three basic criteria: (1) Regularly scheduled hours, (2) staff, and (3) materials available for library users.

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: 2019-2021 IMLS Native American Basic Library Program Notice of Funding Opportunity.

OMB Number: 3137-0093.

Frequency: Once per year.

Affected Public: American Indian tribes recognized by the Secretary of the Interior.

Number of Respondents: 233.

Estimated Average Burden per Response: 10 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 2330 hours.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: n/a.

Total Annual costs: $66,010.

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.

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.

Dated: April 5, 2018.

Kim Miller,

Grants Management Specialist, Office of Grant Policy and Management.