[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 205 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 55279-55281] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-28070] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES Institute of Museum and Library Services; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request October 10, 1997. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Institute of Museum and Library services (IMLS), 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 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. DATES: Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for Education, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 (202) 395-7316, on or before November 24, 1997. ADDRESSES: A copy of the final National Leadership Grant program guidelines is available from: Discretionary Programs, Office of Library Services, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, room 802, Washington, DC 20506, Tel: 202/606-5227, fax: 202/ 606-1077, or from: e-mail: [email protected] web:www.imls.fed.us/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Institute of Museum and Library Services, Director of Public and Legislative Affairs, Mamie Bittner, (202) 606-4648. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY/TDD) MAY CALL (202) 606-8636. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OMB is particularly interested in comments which:Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of proposed collection of information 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 submission of responses. The Institute of Museum and Library Services solicits comments concerning a new program, National Leadership Grants, authorized by the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996, Title VII of the Departments Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, as enacted by Sec. 101(e) of Divisions A. Pub. L. 104-208, enacted September 30, 1996. IMLS issued, on June 17, 1997, a request for comments on draft guidelines. 1. Background The Museum and Library Services Act of 1996 describes National Leadership Grants or Contracts in Sec. 262. The statute directs the Director to establish and carry out a new program awarding national leadership grants or contracts to enhance the quality of library services nationwide and to provide coordination between libraries and museums. Such grants or contracts shall be used for activities that may include-- (1) Education and training of persons in library and information science, particularly in areas of new technology and other critical needs, including graduate fellowships, traineeships, institutes, or other programs; (2) Research and demonstration projects related to the improvement of libraries, education in library and information science, enhancement of library services through effective and [[Page 55280]] efficient use of new technologies, and dissemination of information derived from such projects; (3) Preservation or digitization of library materials and resources, giving priority to projects emphasizing coordination, avoidance of duplication, and access by researchers beyond the institution or library entity undertaking the project; and (4) Model programs demonstrating cooperative efforts between libraries and museums. The statute further authorizes the Director to carry out these activities by awarding grants to, or entering into contract, on a competitive basis with, libraries, agencies, institutions of higher education, or museums, where appropriate. The Institute began the process of developing these guidelines in March 1997 by convening a group of renowned museum and library professionals, together with several National Commission for Libraries and Information Science Commissioners and Members of the National Museum Services Board, for two days of discussion. On the first day they heard from panels representing museums, libraries, other funders and Federal policy makers. On the second day they discussed what they had heard and what issues they see as most important for the Institute to address in the coming years. Drawing from these discussions, agency staff drafted guidelines for these projects which were reviewed at the first joint meeting of the National Museum Services Board and the National Commission for Libraries and Information Science on May 8, 1997. The Institute received policy advice from these advisory bodies and used this to further revise the draft guidelines. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be used by the agency in further developing its National Leadership Grants guidelines and in the request for the Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they also will become a matter of public record. 2. Response to Comments A. General IMLS received a number of comments in response to the June 17, 1997, request for comment. IMLS appreciates the interest of the museum and library communities and their time and effort in providing their views. Commenters comprised individuals expressing their own opinions and officers and staff of professional organizations representing their members. Taken as a whole, IMLS believes the comments received are reasonably representative of the opinions of the library and museum communities which IMLS was created to serve. All of the comments have been carefully studied by IMLS, and they will inform the development of final program guidelines. In general, commenters expressed broad support for the purposes of the National Leadership Grant program. Specific suggestions for improvement or for clarification fall within these categories: --Definition of eligible applicants --Eligibility for specific type projects --Distribution of funding within project types --Qualifications of reviewers --Technical clarification of procedural issues of program management B. Definition of Eligible Applicants Commenters asked for clarification on or posited a case for certain types of libraries where either they were unclear as to their eligibility or believed they were excluded. These types of libraries were special libraries, archives, private libraries, library consortia, libraries within larger organizations, and private libraries. The IMLS position is that all of these libraries and library consortia, as well as those specifically named in section 213(2), are capable of carrying out projects such as those identified in section 262(a), and therefore, are eligible for National Leadership Grant support. Notwithstanding, only private libraries having not-for-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service may receive support; private for-profit libraries may not receive support. Some commenters stated that graduate schools offering degrees in library and information sciences should be eligible. IMLS concurs that these graduate schools are an appropriate provider of education and training projects. They are eligible as units within institutions of higher education. Some commenters questioned whether museum agencies could apply for and receive support within the program as an individual applicant. The IMLS intention is to encourage museums to form cooperative model projects with libraries when requesting support under the National Leadership Grant program. A museum as an individual entity, as part of a museum consortium or as an agency for museum services, therefore, may only apply as part of a partnership with a library. Any other applicant may apply individually or in a partnership. C. Eligibility for Specific Type Projects Museums may apply for support only if the project includes a library partner. A partnership that includes at least one museum and one library may propose, apply for and receive support for any type of activity that would meet the objectives of the National Leadership Grant program. Other eligible applicants may apply for any type activity individually for any type of activity that would meet the objectives of the National Leadership Grant program. Collaborative projects between libraries and museums must include at least one library and one museum and may include other types of partners. D. Distribution of Funding Within Project Types Several commenters expressed the opinion that as there were four clear project types, funding from the Library Services and Technology Act would be fairly distributed if no more than one-fourth went to model collaborative projects for libraries and museums. Pending availability of appropriated funds for National Leadership Grants under LSTA, IMLS will award one quarter of funds for collaborative projects between libraries and museums. E. Qualifications of Reviewers Some commenters express views that only library reviewers were appropriate for some types of project, while both library and museum professionals were appropriate for collaborative library museum projects. IMLS concurs and intends that appropriate professionals from the field will be included as reviewers depending on the nature of the project and partnership. Additional technical expertise may also be part of the review and decision-making process. F. Technical Clarification of Procedural Issues of Program Management A number of commenters identified unclear wording in the guidelines and provided suggestions for editing the guidelines that will enable IMLS to clarify the instructions. No single technical issue elicited significant numbers of comments, however, taken as a whole they will be useful to improve the quality of the guidelines. IMLS appreciates the level of attention to detail these commenters provided. Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services. Title: National Leadership Grants. OMB Number: N/A. Agency Number: 3136. Frequency: One time. [[Page 55281]] Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions. Estimated Time Per Respondent: 40 hours. Total Burden Hours: 1200. Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0. Total annual costs (operation/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0. Description: National Leadership Grant are being developed to carry out a new program awarding grants or contracts to enhance the quality of library services nationwide and to provide coordination between libraries and museums. Diane B. Frankel, Director. [FR Doc. 97-28070 Filed 10-22-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7537-01-M