SUPPORTING STATEMENT

FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

**     **

**A. Justification**

1\. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information
necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that
necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of
each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of
information.

> The Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) Program awards
> competitive grants to eligible LEAs to improve student reading
> achievement by improving school library services. Under Title I, Part
> B, Subpart 4, section 1251 of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
> Grant funds provide access to up-to-date books and school library
> materials; technologically advanced school library media center; and
> professionally certified school library media specialists. This
> collection of information was specifically created to provide guidance
> to Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) Grantees who are,
> by statute, required to provide specific information on their project
> outcomes.
>
> This information is required by the Program Statute under Title I of
> ESEA, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act, Part B, Subpart 4,
> Section 1251 (h) (1). Each respondent will report on "...how the
> funding was used and the extent to which the availability of, the
> access to, and the use of, up-to-date school library media resources
> in the elementary and secondary schools served by the eligible local
> educational agency was increased." This final report makes specific
> requests for easily retrieved information on each approved activity,
> personnel descriptions and outcomes that cannot be derived from any
> other information collection.
>
> In addition, under (j) (1)NATIONAL ACTIVITIES, the statute requires
> independent evaluations of the activities supported by funds and their
> impact on improving the reading skills of students not later than 3
> years after the date of the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act
> of 2001 and biennially thereafter. This information collection is one
> of three sources of data for the Congressionally mandated program
> evaluation.

2\. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be
used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency
has made of the information received from the current collection.

> As the project period ends, the form would be mailed by LSL Program
> staff to the 2003 grantees. The information will be used to gather
> needed information on outcomes, including project activities,
> personnel, and reading achievement. The project outcomes will provide
> needed information to complete the report of National Activities
> required by Congress, and to provide accountability for the GPRA
> requirements. The information will also guide future program
> management decisions.

3\. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information
involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or forms of information technology,
e.g. permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for
the decision of adopting this means of collection. Also describe any
consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

> This collection expects to use technological collection techniques to
> permit electronic submission of responses as soon as the Department
> has the necessary enhancements to its electronic system. However, this
> year the technology is not scheduled to be available until December
> 2004, too late for the FY 2003 grantees. We plan to use electronic
> submission in the following year

4\. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any
similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use
of the purposes described in Item 2 above.

> This information collection is specifically tied to the outcomes
> predicted by the grantee's proposal. No other information collection
> retrieves this kind of information from this specific grantee
> universe.

5.  If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other
    small entities

> (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods used to minimize
> burden.
>
> This collection of information does not impact small businesses or
> other small entities.

6\. Describe the consequences to Federal program or policy activities if
the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well
as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

> If this collection of information is not conducted annually, then the
> information required by the statute for program outcomes would not be
> available.

7\. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information
collection to be conducted in a manner:

> requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often
> than quarterly;

-   \[ This is not applicable-The collection is only required
    annually.\]

-   requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection
    of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it,

-   \[Respondents will have more than 30 days after receipt to prepare a
    response\]

-   requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies
    of any document;

-   \[Respondents will submit an original and two copies of their
    response.\]

-   requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical,
    government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than
    three years;

    \[Respondents will retain records for three years.\]

-   in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to
    produce valid and reliable results than can be generalized to the
    universe of study;

-   \[This is not applicable to this collection of information.

-   

-   requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not
    been reviewed and approved by OMB;

-   

-   \[This information collection does not require use of a statistical
    data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by
    OMB.\]

-   that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by
    authority established in statute or regulation, that is not
    supported by disclosure and data security policies that are
    consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing
    of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use;

-   \[This collection does not include such a pledge of
    confidentiality.\]or

-   requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other
    confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate it has
    instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality
    to the extent permitted by law.

-   \[This collection does not require respondents to submit proprietary
    trade secrets.\]

> This collection is in compliance with 5 CFR 1320.5.

8.  If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number
    of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice,
    required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information
    collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments
    received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by
    the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address
    comments received on cost and hour burden.

> There were no comments as a result of the public comment notice.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain
their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the
clarity of instruction and record keeping, disclosure, or reporting
format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or
reported.

> ED consulted with several grantees regarding this performance report.
> The respondents agreed that the report's format was succinct and
> streamlined. The requested data is easily available for reporting
> purposes. In addition they estimated that it could take an average of
> 5 hours to complete.
>
> .
>
> Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to
> be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least
> once every 3 years -- even if the collection of information activity
> is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may
> preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances
> should be explained. There are no circumstances that preclude
> consultation.

9.  Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents,
    other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

There is no decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents
    and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency
    policy.

There is no need for an assurance of confidentiality.

11\. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive
nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and
other matters that are commonly considered private. The justification
should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions
necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the
explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is
requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

There are no questions of a sensitive nature.

12\. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of
information. The statement should :

-   Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual
    hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated.
    Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special
    surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden
    estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential
    respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is
    expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or
    complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the
    reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include
    burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

-   If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide
    separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour
    burdens in item 13 of OMB Form 83-I. This request covers one form.

> The number of respondents is about 100 respondents x 5
> hours/response=500 hours annual burden. Given the number of questions
> and the options made available, this form is relatively easy to
> complete. It reflects the choices of activities made in the approved
> application, and information that is asked for in the statute. The
> information requested is easily available, and it is being compiled
> during the grant period.

-   Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents of the hour
    burdens for collections of information, identifying and using
    appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or
    paying outside parties for information collection activities should
    not be included here. Instead, this cost should not be included in
    Item 14.

Respondents maintain the information for this report as a matter of
course as they administer the project. We estimate that the respondent's
costs= \$25 X 500=12,500.

13\. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents
or record keepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not
include the cost of any hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14.)

-   The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total
    capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected
    useful life); and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase
    of services component. The estimates should take into account costs
    associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing
    the information. Include descriptions of methods used to estimate
    major cost factors including system and technology acquisition,
    expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and
    the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and
    start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for
    collecting information such as purchasing computers and software;
    monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record
    storage facilities.

-   If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should
    present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the
    variance. The cost of contracting out information collection
    services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In
    developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample
    of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB
    submission public comment process and use existing economic or
    regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing
    the information collection, as appropriate.

-   Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or
    services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1,
    1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not
    associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other
    than to provide information or keep records for the government,
    or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

0

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Cost :      0

Total Annual Costs (O&M) :      0

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Total Annualized Costs Requested :      0

There are no startup costs for this collection.

14\. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which
should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as
equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense
that would not have been incurred without this collection of
information. Agencies also may aggregate cost estimates from Items 12,
13, and 14 in a single table.

Annual Cost to the Federal Government:

The information collection provides part of the legislatively required
information to show outcomes.

Time of ED Staff devoted to review: 1 hour x 100 x \$40=\$4000.

This is a cost that is part of the responsibility of the program staff
's responsibilities.

We plan to send the report electronically to all grantees.

15\. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported
in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-I.

This information collection is a new information collection, so the
hours added to the inventory are a result of the initial input of this
collection.

16\. For collections of information whose results will be published,
outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex
analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for
the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the
collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and
other actions.

There are no plans to publish the information.

17\. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB
approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display
would be inappropriate.

The expiration date for OMB approval will be displayed on the
information collection.

18\. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in
Item 20, "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions," of OMB
Form 83-I.

There are no exceptions.

**B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods**

The agency will not be employing statistical methods.