80 FR 39805 - Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests; Museum Assessment Program Evaluation

THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES
Institute of Museum and Library Services

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 132 (July 10, 2015)

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 (44 U.S.C. 35). 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. By this notice, IMLS is soliciting comments concerning a proposed survey to collect information to monitor the use, expectations, of and satisfaction with cultural programs and services, particularly library and museum services. A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 132 (Friday, July 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39805-39806]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16845]


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THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

Institute of Museum and Library Services


Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests; Museum 
Assessment Program Evaluation

AGENCY: Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Foundation 
on 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 (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 (44 U.S.C. 35). 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. By this notice, IMLS is soliciting comments concerning a 
proposed survey to collect information to monitor the use, 
expectations, of and satisfaction with cultural programs and services, 
particularly library and museum services.
    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 September 8, 2015.
    IMLS is particularly interested in comments that help the agency 
to:

[[Page 39806]]

     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: Christopher J. Reich, Senior Advisor, 
Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M St. NW., 9th Floor, 
Washington, DC 20036. Mr. Reich can be reached by Telephone: 202-653-
4685, Fax: 202-653-4608, or by email at [email protected], or by teletype 
(TTY/TDD) 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 123,000 libraries and 35,000 
museums. The Institute's mission is to inspire libraries and museums to 
advance innovation, learning, and civic engagement. The Institute works 
at the national level and in coordination with state and local 
organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance 
learning and innovation; and support professional development. IMLS is 
responsible for identifying national needs for and trends in museum, 
library, and information services; measuring and reporting on the 
impact and effectiveness of museum, library and information services 
throughout the United States, including programs conducted with funds 
made available by IMLS; identifying, and disseminating information on, 
the best practices of such programs; and developing plans to improve 
museum, library, and information services of the United States and 
strengthen national, State, local, regional, and international 
communications and cooperative networks (20 U.S.C. 72, 20 U.S.C. 9108).

II. Current Actions

    The purpose of this survey is to gauge the effect of the Museum 
Assessment Program (MAP) on participating museums and the museum field 
at large. The survey will be used to measure the degree to which the 
program is meeting the needs and building the institutional capacity of 
individual museums, and its overall impact on the museum field 
nationwide. Methods will include web surveys, telephone interviews, and 
focus group meetings.
    The web survey will consist of approximately 40 questions that will 
examine the participating museums' experience with the MAP program and 
the subsequent changes in its operations that can be attributed to the 
program, as well as basic institutional profile information. The web 
survey will require an average of 60 minutes to complete. The telephone 
interview guide will be organized into approximately four sections 
(e.g. institutional changes resulting from MAP participation; funding; 
professionalization; and future expectations) and is projected to 
average 30 minutes to complete. Focus groups will be organized to 
generate shared experiences and discussion relating to overall impact 
on the museum field at large. No more than six focus groups will be 
organized, each involving 10-12 persons for a period of approximately 
one hour.
    Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
    Title: Museum Assessment Program Evaluation.
    OMB Number: To Be Determined.
    Frequency: Anticipated for Every Five Years.
    Affected Public: The target population is museums that have 
participated in the Museum Assessment Program during the past five 
years, all of which are located in the United States.
    Number of Respondents: 132.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: The burden per respondent is 
estimated to be an average of one hour for the web survey, 30 minutes 
for the telephone interview and one hour for the focus groups.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 132 hours.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: n/a.
    Total Annual costs: To be determined.
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher J. Reich, Senior Advisor, 
Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M St. NW., 9th Floor, 
Washington, DC 20036. Mr. Reich can be reached by Telephone: 202-653-
4685, Fax: 202-653-4608, or by email at [email protected], or by teletype 
(TTY/TDD) at 202-653-4614. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 
E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

    Dated: July 6, 2015.
Kim Miller,
Management Analyst.
[FR Doc. 2015-16845 Filed 7-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7036-01-P