[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 4, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5253-5254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2669]


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NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES


Institute of Museum and Library Services; Submission for OMB 
Emergency Review, Comment Request

January 24, 1997.
AGENCY: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library Services has submitted the 
following public information collection request (ICR) to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB for review and approval in accordance with 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35). A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation may be 
obtained by calling the Institute of Museum and Library Services, 
Director of Public and Legislative Affairs, Mamie Bittner (202) 606-
8536. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf 
(TTY/TDD) may call (202) 606-8636 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. 
Eastern time, Monday through Friday. BACKGROUND: Public Law 104-208 
enacted on September 30, 1996 contains the Library Services and 
Technology Act, a reauthorization and refocusing of federal library 
programs. This legislation retains the state-based approach to library 
programs and sharpens the focus to two key priorities: information 
access through technology and information empowerment through special 
services. The Institute requires emergency clearance for this paperwork 
to comply with the legislative requirement that, in order to be 
eligible to receive a grant, State library administrative agencies must 
submit a State plan to the director of IMLS no later than April 1, 
1997.
    Public Law 104-208 authorizes the Director of the Institute of 
Museum and Library Services to make grants to States to assist them 
to--
    (1) Consolidate Federal library service programs;
    (2) Stimulate excellence and promote access to learning and 
information resources in all types of libraries for individuals of all 
ages;
    (3) Promote library services that provide all users access to 
information through State, regional, national and international 
electronic networks;
    (4) Provide linkages among and between libraries;
    (5) Promote targeted library services to people of diverse 
geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals 
with disabilities, and to people with limited functional literacy or 
information skills.
    Under Section 224(a)(2), the State plan shall cover a period of 5 
years. Section 224(b) requires that the State plan shall
    (1) Establish goals, and specify priorities, for the State 
consistent with the purposes of the subtitle;
    (2) Describe activities that are consistent with the goals and 
priorities established under paragraph (1), the purposes of this 
subtitle, and section 231, that the State library administrative agency 
will carry out during such year using such grant;
    (3) Describe the procedures that such agency will use to carry out 
the activities described in paragraph (2);
    (4) Describe the methodology that such agency will use to evaluate 
the success of the activities established under paragraph (2) in 
achieving the goals and meeting the priorities described in paragraph 
(1);
    (5) Describe the procedures that such agency will use to involve 
libraries and library users throughout the State in policy decisions 
regarding implementation of this subtitle; and
    (6) Provide assurances satisfactory to the Director that such 
agency will make such reports, in such form and containing such 
information, as the Director may reasonably require to carry out this 
subtitle and to determine the extent to which funds provided under this 
subtitle have been effective in carrying out the purposes of this 
subtitle.
    Section 224(c) requires each State library administrative agency 
receiving a grant under this subtitle to independently evaluate, and 
report to the Director regarding, the activities assisted under this 
subtitle, prior to the end of the 5-year plan.

DATES: Comments must be submitted by February 18, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be sent to Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attn.: OMB Desk Officer for the Institute of Museum 
and Library Services, NEOB, Washington, DC 20503, (202) 395-7316.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OMB is particularly interested in 
comments which:
    <bullet> 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;
    <bullet> 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;
    <bullet> Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    <bullet> 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.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: Library Services and Technology Act Five Year Plan.
    OMB Number: New.
    Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: Once.
    Affected Public: State Library Administrative Agencies.

[[Page 5254]]

    Number of Respondents: 55.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 90 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,950.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.
    Total Annual Costs: 0.
    Description: This State plan is needed to assist in determining 
each State's compliance with the enabling statute, and to provide 
information for the IMLS Director's Report to Congress on the status of 
library services nationwide.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mamie Bittner, Institute of Museum and 
Library Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20506, 
telephone (202) 606-8539.
Mamie Bittner,
Director of Legislative and Public Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-2669 Filed 2-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-M