Submission for OMB Review, Comment Request, Proposed Collection; Museum Assessment Program Evaluation

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 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 (44 U.S.C. 35). 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.

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 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section below on or before April 10, 2016.

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 submissions of responses.

ADDRESSES:

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 creich@imls.gov, or by teletype (TTY/TDD) at 202-653-4614.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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).

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 and telephone interviews.

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.

Current Actions: This notice proposes clearance of the Museum Assessment Program (MAP) Evaluation. The 60-day notice for the Museum Assessment Program (MAP) Evaluation, was published in the Federal Register on July 10, 2015 (FR vol. 80, No. 152, pgs. 39805-39806). The agency has taken into consideration the one comment that was received under this notice.

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.

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 eight years, all of which are located in the United States.

Number of Respondents: 309.

Estimated Average Burden per Response: The burden per respondent is estimated to be an average of 30 minutes for the web survey and one hour for the telephone interview.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 159 hours.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $7,000.

Total Annual Costs: $3,388.29.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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.