National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities
Institute of Museum and Library Services
AGENCY:
Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities.
ACTION:
Notice, request for comments on this collection of information.
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 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. The purpose of this notice is to communicate the agency's intent to request clearance for a new IMLS grant program (the final name is to be determined) designed to support small history museums, small historical societies, and small historic houses/sites that celebrate and preserve America's history and values, with an emphasis on amplifying the stories of their local communities. 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 December 08, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
Send comments to Sandra Narva, Lead Senior Grants Management Specialist, Office of General Counsel, ATTN: Grants Management, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Suite N-3627, Washington, DC 20210. Ms. Narva can be reached by telephone, 202-653-4634, or by email at snarva@imls.gov. Office ( printed page 64406) hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Katherine Maas, Deputy Director, Office of Museum Services, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Suite N-3627, Washington, DC 20210. Ms. Maas can be reached by telephone, 202-653-4798, or by email at kmaas@imls.gov. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
IMLS is particularly interested in public 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.
I. Background
IMLS is the primary source of Federal support for the Nation's libraries and museums. The agency advances, supports, and empowers America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grant making, research, and policy development. For more information about IMLS, visit www.imls.gov.
www.imls.govII. Current Actions
This action will seek clearance for a Notice of Funding Opportunity for an IMLS Grants for Local History program for three years. This grant program is being offered as a special initiative with funding from the Museums for America program.
The IMLS Grants for Local History program supports eligible small history museums, small historical societies, and small historic houses/sites in celebrating and preserving America's history and values, with an emphasis on amplifying the stories of their local communities.
The goal of the program is to amplify the stories of local communities through interpretation of their history or conservation of objects related to their history and to celebrate their connections to the broader American story. This goal is met through the objectives of (1) serving the learning needs and interests of the community and (2) improving the stewardship of collections in small history museums, small historical societies, and small historic houses/sites.
Interpretation could happen through, for example, oral histories, genealogical research, lecture series, publications, living-history demonstrations, and special events such as reenactments or commemorations that relate local stories to wide-ranging American history.
Collections stewardship could happen through conservation treatment and rehousing of local history collections (for example, textiles, artwork, documents, archaeological material, military artifacts) that are connected to the broader American story.
Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Title: IMLS Grants for Local History Notice of Funding Opportunity.
OMB Control Number: NEW.
Agency Number: 3137.
Respondents/Affected Public: Small history museums, small historical societies, and small historic houses/sites.
Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 100.
Frequency of Response: Once per request.
Estimated Average Burden Hours per Response: 25.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,500.
Total Annual Cost Burden: $86,000.00.
Total Annual Federal Costs: $21,621.10.
Public Comments Invited: Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the agency's request to OMB for clearance of this information collection. This collection is authorized by 20 U.S.C. 9173, “Museum services activities.”
20 U.S.C. 9173Dated: October 6, 2026.
Suzanne Mbollo,
Grants Management Specialist, Institute of Museum and Library Services.
[FR Doc. 2026-20654 Filed 10-7-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7036-01-P