2023-16072. Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests: IMLS Evaluation of Grant Programs Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

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 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. The purpose of this Notice is to solicit comments about the proposed evaluation of IMLS's grant programs funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 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 September 26, 2023.

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: [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:

Emily Plagman-Frank, Strategic Evaluation and Research Officer, Office of Research and Evaluation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington DC 20024–2135. Ms. Plagman-Frank can be reached by telephone at 202–653–4763 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 particularly interested in public 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

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. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov.

II. Current Actions

In direct response to the COVID–19 pandemic, IMLS awarded roughly $250 million in ARPA and CARES Act funds to State Library Administrative Agencies, libraries, museums, federally recognized Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians. The proposed evaluation of IMLS's ARPA and CARES Act grant programs will include a review of the relevant administrative processes and the distribution and use of the funds in order to improve the agency's understanding of the effectiveness of the program and the lessons learned, identify gaps and needs in continuing post-recovery, and improve or inform future design, technical support, and distribution of special use funds as part of an overall emergency response plan.

Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Title: IMLS Evaluation of Grant Programs Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

OMB Control Number: 3137–NEW.

Agency Number: 3137.

Respondents/Affected Public: IMLS applicants and awardees, museum staff, library staff, State Library Administrative Agency staff.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 75.

Frequency of Response: Once per request.

Average Minutes per Response: TBD.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: TBD.

Cost 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: July 25, 2023.

Connie Bodner,

Director, Office of Grants Policy and Management, Institute of Museum and Library Services.