2013-12269. Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests: State Library Administrative Agencies Survey, FY 2014

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Notice, request for comments, collection of information.

SUMMARY:

The Institute of Museum and Library Service (“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. 3501 et seq.). 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 continuance of the State Library Administrative Agencies Survey for FY 2014.

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 ADDRESSES section below on or before July 22, 2013.

The IMLS 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.

ADDRESSES:

For a copy of the documents contact: Deanne W. Swan, Senior Statistician, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street NW., 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20036. Dr. Swan can be reached by Telephone: [phone], Fax: [phone], or by email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is an independent Federal grant-making agency and is the primary source of federal support for the Nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. IMLS provides a variety of grant programs to assist the Nation's museums and libraries in improving their operations and enhancing their services to the public. 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 State Library Administrative Agencies Survey has been conducted by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the clearance number 3137-0072, which expires 10/31/2013. State library administrative agencies (“SLAAs”) are the official agencies of each state charged by state law with the extension and development of public library services throughout the state. (20 U.S.C. Chapter 72, 20 U.S.C. 9122.) The purpose of this survey is to provide state and federal policymakers with information about SLAAs, including their governance, allied operations, developmental services to libraries and library systems, support of electronic information networks and resources, number and types of outlets, and direct services to the public. Through the FY 2010 collection, the SLAA Survey was conducted annually; beginning with the FY 2012 collection, the survey will be conducted biennially. Before the beginning of the FY 2014 collection, IMLS will review and revise the questionnaire. Because the FY 2014 collection will not begin until late 2014, we are carrying over the documentation and estimated burden associated with the FY 2012 data.

Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Title: State Library Administrative Agencies Survey, FY 2014.

OMB Number: 3137-0072.

Agency Number: 3137.

Affected Public: Federal, State and local governments, State library administrative agencies, libraries, general public.

Number of Respondents: 51.

Frequency: Biennially.

Burden hours per respondent: 24.

Total burden hours: 1,248.

Total Annual Costs: $34,307.

Contact: Kim A. Miller, Management Analyst, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street NW., 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20036. Ms. Miller can be reached by Telephone: [phone], Fax: [phone], or by email at [e-mail].

Dated: May 20, 2013.

Kim A. Miller,

Management Analyst, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation.