2020-14793. Notice of Proposed Information Request: Public Libraries Survey, FY 2020-FY 2022

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Submission for OMB Review, comment request.

SUMMARY:

The Institute of Museum and Library Services announces the following information collection has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This 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 the new three year approval of the IMLS administered Public Library Survey. 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:

Comments must be submitted to the office listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section below on or before August 7, 2020.

ADDRESSES:

Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn.: OMB Desk Officer for Education, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Connie Bodner, Director 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], 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 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 work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov.

II. Current Actions

Pursuant to Public Law 107-279, this Public Libraries Survey collects annual descriptive data on the universe of public libraries in the United States and the Outlying Areas. Information such as public service hours per year, circulation of library books, number of librarians, population of legal service area, expenditures for library collection, programs for children and young adults, staff salary data, and access to technology, etc., would be collected. The request includes new public library data regarding COVID-19. The Public Libraries Survey has been conducted by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the clearance number 3137-0074, which expires November 30, 2022. This action is to request a new three-year approval.

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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses).

Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Title: Public Libraries Survey, FY 2020-FY 2022.

Agency OMB Number: 3137-0074.

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

Number of Respondents: 56.

Frequency: Annually.

Burden Hours per Respondent: 96.71.

Total burden hours: 5,415.76.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: n/a.

Total Annual Costs: $153,753.43.

Total Annual Federal Costs: $805,499.35

Dated: July 6, 2020.

Kim Miller,

Senior Grants Management Specialist, Institute of Museum and Library Services.