Submission for OMB Review, Comment Request, Proposed Collection: 2022-2024 IMLS Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (3137-0110)

AGENCY:

Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities.

ACTION:

Submission for OMB review, comment request.

SUMMARY:

The Institute of Museum and Library Services announces that the following information collection has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval 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. This Notice proposes the clearance of the 2022-2024 IMLS Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity. A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this Notice.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the ADDRESSES section below on or before November 28, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments and recommendations for proposed information collection requests should be sent within 30 days of publication of this Notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection request by selecting “Institute of Museum and Library Services” under “Currently Under Review;” then check “Only Show ICR for Public Comment” checkbox. Once you have found this information collection request, select “Comment,” and enter or upload your comment and information. Alternatively, please mail your written comments to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn.: OMB Desk Officer for Education, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, or call (202) 395-7316.

OMB 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 submission of responses).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Anthony D. Smith, Associate Deputy Director, Office of Library Services, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington, DC 20024-2135. Mr. Smith can be reached by telephone at 202-653-4716, or by email at asmith@imls.gov. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing (TTY users) can contact IMLS at 202-207-7858 via 711 for TTY-Based Telecommunications Relay Service.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov.

Current Actions: This Notice proposes the clearance of 2022-2024 IMLS Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity. The 60-day Notice was published in the Federal Register on September 2, 2021 (86 FR 168: 49355-49356). No public comments were received.

The Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants program is designed to assist Native American tribes in improving core library services for their communities. The program goals are (1) to improve digital services to support needs for education, workforce development, economic and business development, health information, critical thinking skills, and digital literacy skills; (2) to improve educational programs related to specific topics and content areas of interest to library patrons and community-based users; and (3) to enhance the preservation and revitalization of Native American cultures and languages. The proposed revision of the Notice of Funding Opportunity modifies the eligibility criteria, updates the description of performance measurement requirements, identifies new due dates for applications and award announcements, and accommodates the use of two Grants.gov forms approved since the last request for clearance of the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

If approved, the Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants program will no longer require applicants to first submit an application to the Native American Library Services Basic Grants program in the year in which they submit an application to the Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants program. This will reduce unnecessary administrative burden for applicants and awardees and allow applicants to choose the grant program(s) best suited to their needs. We published a Request for Information for the Modification of the Eligibility Requirements for the grant program in the Federal Register on September 2, 2021 (86 FR 168:49356) and received no responses.

Updating the description of the performance measurement requirements will bring this program into better alignment with other IMLS grant programs and make it easier for applicants to comply. Similarly, using the recently cleared Grants.gov forms eliminates the need to download separate fillable PDF forms from the IMLS website and thus lessens the burden on applicants.

Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Title: 2022-2024 IMLS Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity.

OMB Control Number: 3137-0110.

Agency Number: 3137.

Affected Public: Federally recognized Native American Tribes.

Total Number of Respondents: 40.

Frequency of Response: Once per request.

Average Hours per Response: 40.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 1,600.

Cost Burden: $46,784.00.

Total Annual Federal Costs: $5,553.37.