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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 224 (Monday, November 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72003-72004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29942]

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THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

Proposed Collection, Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant 
Program Evaluation

AGENCY: Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Foundation 
for the Arts and the Humanities.

ACTION: Notice, request for comments, collection of information.

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SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library Services 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 of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3508(2)(A)]. 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. 
Currently the Institute of Museum and Library Services is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed study of the impacts of the Laura Bush 
21st Century Librarian Grant Program.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the addressee 
section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before January 15, 2012. IMLS is 
particularly interested in comments that help the agency to:

[[Page 72004]]

     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.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Matthew Birnbaum, Ph.D., Evaluation and 
Research Officer, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M St., 
NW., Washington, DC 20036. Telephone: (202) 653-4647, Fax: (202) 653-
4611 or by email at mbirnbaum@imls.gov or by 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 an independent 
Federal grant-making agency authorized by the Museum and Library 
Services Act, Public Law 104-208 and is the primary source of federal 
support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The IMLS 
provides a variety of grant programs to assist the nation's museums and 
libraries in improving their operations and enhancing their services to 
the public. Museums and libraries of all sizes and types may receive 
support from IMLS programs. In the Museum and Library Services Act of 
2010, IMLS is charged with the responsibility of identifying national 
needs for, and trends of, museum and library services; reporting on the 
impact and effectiveness of programs conducted with funds made 
available by the Institute in addressing such needs; and identifying, 
and disseminating information on, the best practices of such programs. 
This solicitation is to develop plans to conduct a program evaluation 
of the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant Program which began in 
2003.

II. Current Actions

    The Institute of Museum and Library Services, in accordance with 
the Museum and Library Services Act of 2010, is authorized to identify 
needs and trends of museum and library services, report on the impact 
and effectiveness, and identify best practices of programs conducted 
with funds made available by the Institute. Current research 
initiatives include analysis of grants made to educational and training 
programs by the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant Program between 
2003 and 2007 to assess the outcomes and impact of such grants on the 
Nation's librarian workforce, institutions, and their communities. IMLS 
proposes to collect qualitative and quantitative information from grant 
recipients and program participants via interviews and a web-based 
survey. Relevant information includes but is not limited to: The 
planning process of the grant program; recruiting methods; challenges 
and lessons learned; programmatic outcomes; and placements of program 
participants. The information IMLS collects will build on, but not 
duplicate existing or ongoing collections.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant Program Evaluation.
    OMB Number: To be determined.
    Agency Number: 3137.
    Frequency: One time.
    Affected Public: Libraries, Educational Institutions, Grant 
Recipients, and Program Participants.
    Number of Respondents: To be determined.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: To be determined.
    Total Burden Hours: To be determined.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: To be determined.
    Total Annual costs: To be determined.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Matthew Birnbaum, Evaluation and 
Research Officer, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, 
Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M St., NW., Washington, 
DC 20036, email: mbirnbaum@imls.gov, telephone (202) 653-4760.

    Dated: November 15, 2011.
Kim Miller,
Management Analyst, Office of Policy, Research and Evaluation.
[FR Doc. 2011-29942 Filed 11-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-P
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