Notice of Proposed Information Collection Request: Guidelines for IMLS Grants to States Five-Year Evaluation, 1518-1519 [2019-00809]

Agencies

• National Foundation for the Arts and the Humanities
• Institute of Museum and Library Services

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 23 (Monday, February 4, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1518-1519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-00809]


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NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

Institute of Museum and Library Services


Notice of Proposed Information Collection Request: Guidelines for 
IMLS Grants to States Five-Year Evaluation

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

ACTION: Notice; request for comments on this collection of information.

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SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), as part 
of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, 
conducts a pre-clearance 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.

[[Page 1519]]

    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 March 31, 2019.
    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 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: Dr. Sandra Webb, Director, 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. 
Webb can be reached by Telephone: 202-653-4718, Fax: 202-653-4608, or 
by email at swebb@imls.gov, or by teletype (TTY/TDD) for persons with 
hearing difficulty at 202-653-4614.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Teri DeVoe, Associate Deputy Director 
for Grants to States, Office of Library Services, Institute of Museum 
and Library Services, 955 L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, 
Washington, DC 20024-2135. She can be reached by Telephone: 202-653-
4778, Fax: 202-653-4602, or by email at tdevoe@imls.gov, 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 
transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, 
visit www.imls.gov.
    Current Actions: The Grants to States program is the largest grant 
program administered by IMLS. Through this program, IMLS provides 
financial assistance to develop library services throughout the States, 
U.S. Territories, and the Freely Associated States. IMLS funds support 
projects that, among other purposes, promote literacy and education; 
enhance and expand the services and resources provided by all types of 
libraries; enhance the skills of the current and future library 
workforce and leadership; develop public-private partnerships with 
other agencies and community-based organizations; and target library 
services to individuals with diverse geographic, cultural and socio-
economic backgrounds, individuals with disabilities, and individuals 
from other underserved communities. The program recognizes the 
increasing importance of information technology by emphasizing programs 
that teach digital literacy skills; develop library services that 
provide all users with access to information through local, State, 
regional, national, and international collaborations and networks; and 
establish or enhance electronic and other linkages among and between 
libraries and other entities.
    A State Library Administrative Agency (``SLAA'') is the official 
agency of a State charged by law with the extension and development of 
public library services throughout the State. To receive funds under 
the Grants to States program, each SLAA must submit to the Director of 
IMLS a State Plan detailing certain goals, assurances, and procedures 
for a five-year period. A State Plan is a document that identifies a 
State's library needs, sets forth the activities to be taken toward 
meeting the identified needs supported with the assistance of Federal 
funds made available under subchapter II (Library Services and 
Technology, ``LSTA'') and provides assurances that the officially 
designated SLAA has the fiscal and legal authority and capability to 
administer all aspects of any award under the Grants to States program. 
The State Plan must also provide assurances for establishing the 
State's policies, priorities, criteria, and procedures necessary to the 
implementation of all programs under the LSTA.
    IMLS authorizing legislation directs State Library Administrative 
Agencies (SLAAs) to ``independently evaluate, and report to the 
Director regarding, the activities assisted under this subchapter, 
prior to the end of the Five Year Plan.'' This evaluation provides 
SLAAs an opportunity to measure progress in meeting the goals set in 
their approved Five Year Plans with a framework to synthesize 
information across all state reports in telling a national story.
    This action is to seek approval for the instructions for the 
Guidelines for IMLS Grants to States Five-Year Evaluation for the next 
three years.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: Guidelines for IMLS Grants to States Five-Year Evaluation.
    OMB Number: 3137-0090.
    Frequency: Once every five years.
    Affected Public: State Library Administrative Agencies.
    Number of Respondents: 59.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: 90 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 5,310 hours.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: n/a.
    Total Annual Costs: $148,361.
    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: January 29, 2019.
Kim Miller,
Grants Management Specialist, Institute of Museum and Library Services.
[FR Doc. 2019-00809 Filed 2-1-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7036-01-P