2020-20689. Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests: National Collections Assessment Program

AGENCY:

Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Foundation for 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 a plan to offer a national collections assessment program to provide small and midsize museums with technical support to evaluate the condition of their collections and the environmental conditions in which they are housed. 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 November 13, 2020.

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], or by teletype (TTY/TDD) for persons with hearing difficulty at 202-653-4614. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Christopher J. Reich, Chief Administrator, Office Of Museum Services, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington DC 20024-2135. Mr. Reich 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:

IMLS is particularly interested in public comment 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. 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

To administer a special initiative of the National Leadership Grants for Museums program titled National Collections Assessment Program.

The goal of the special initiative is to provide an affordable and accessible program for small to midsize museums to help them plan for the conservation of the collections entrusted to them by the public for preservation. Through this program, IMLS wishes to increase the capacity of museums to (1) understand the conservation needs of their collections; (2) strengthen the knowledge of museum personnel about the care and conservation of collections; and (3) assist museums in planning strategically for the long-term care and conservation of their collections. The national collections assessment program is being offered as a special initiative with funding from the National Leadership Grants for Museums program.

Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Title: National Collections Assessment Program.

OMB Control Number: 3137-NEW.

Agency Number: 3137.

Frequency: One time.

Respondents/Affected Public: Museums, colleges and universities, and organizations or associations that engage in activities designed to advance the wellbeing of museums and the museum profession.

Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 15.

Average Hours per Response: 40.

Total Burden Hours: 600.

Cost Burden (Dollars): $16,440.

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: September 15, 2020.

Kim Miller,

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