Submission for OMB Review, Comment Request, Proposed Collection: 21st Century Museum Professionals Program Notice of Funding Opportunity

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Submission for OMB Review, request for comments, collection of information.

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 a Notice of Funding Opportunity for a new grant program, the 21st Century Museum Professionals Program. 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 October 22, 2023.

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:

Mark Isaksen, Supervisory Grants Management Specialist, Institute of Museum and Library Services, 955 L'Enfant Plaza North SW, Suite 4000, Washington DC 20024–2135. Mr. Isaksen can be reached by telephone at 202–653–4667, or by email at misaksen@imls.gov. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing (TTY users) may 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 a Notice of Funding Opportunity for a new IMLS grant program, the 21st Century Museum Professionals Program. The purpose of the program will be to develop and enhance a diverse workforce of museum professionals by offering professional development opportunities, employing strategies for training and recruiting future museum professionals and supporting evaluation efforts to identify and share effective practices. There will be an initial emphasis on spurring economic growth through workforce development in the post-pandemic environment, particularly for cultural institutions in rural and economically distressed communities.

IMLS recognizes the important role of strong local and regional networks as essential tools for providing peer-to-peer learning, training, and mentoring opportunities. The program will thus encourage applications from not only museums but also museum associations, museum studies programs at Institutions of Higher Education, and museums that serve as essential parts of the professional learning and training environment.

The 60-day Notice was published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2023 (88 FR 46816–46817). The agency received no comments under this Notice.

Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Title: 21st Century Museum Professionals Program Notice of Funding Opportunity.

OMB Control Number: 3137–NEW.

Agency Number: 3137.

Affected Public: Museums, museum associations, museum studies programs at Institutions of Higher Education, and museums that serve as essential parts of the professional learning and training environment.

Total Number of Respondents: 40.

Frequency of Response: Once per request.

Average Hours per Response: 45 hours.

Total Burden Hours: 1,800 hours.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: n/a.

Total Annual Cost Burden: $52,704.

Total Annual Federal Costs: $ 1,744.