Overview
Title
Notice of Proposed Information Collection Requests: 2022-2024 IMLS Native American Library Services Basic Grants Program-Final Performance Report Form
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to hear what people think about a special report that Native American libraries fill out to get grant money. They want to know if the report is easy to do and how it can be made better without being too much work for people.
Summary AI
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is seeking public comments on their proposal to renew the Native American Library Services Basic Grants Program Final Performance Report Form. This form is important for IMLS in the administration and performance reporting for grant programs involving Native American tribes. The public is invited to share insights on whether the data collection is necessary, how accurate IMLS's burden estimates are, and ways to improve the information's quality and clarity while reducing respondent burden. Comments must be submitted by March 8, 2021, to the contact provided in the notice.
Abstract
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 pre-clearance consultation 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 solicit comments concerning the three year approval of the IMLS Native American Basic Library Grant Program Final Performance Report Form. A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document is a notice from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), inviting public comments on the proposal to renew the Final Performance Report Form for the Native American Library Services Basic Grants Program. This form is critical for IMLS's ability to administer and monitor grants awarded to Native American tribes. IMLS's initiative is part of an ongoing effort to streamline information collection processes and mitigate the burden on respondents, aligning with the Paperwork Reduction Act.
General Overview
The notice describes IMLS's intentions to solicit public input concerning the approval of its information collection request for a three-year period. The request particularly concerns the final performance report form that Native American tribes use to report on grants awarded through the library services program. The information gathered through this form allows IMLS to ensure that grant objectives are met and that the program effectively supports Native American libraries.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One of the significant issues with this notice is the lack of specifics regarding the number of respondents, estimated average burden per response, total annual burden, and total annual costs. These elements are crucial for stakeholders in understanding the potential impact and resource requirements involved in the form's completion. Without this information, it may be challenging for respondents, particularly smaller tribal entities with limited resources, to assess the feasibility and necessary commitment to comply with these requirements.
Another concern is the level of outreach conducted to inform all potentially impacted stakeholders, such as Native American tribes, about the comment opportunity. Ensuring comprehensive outreach is essential to gather a diversity of perspectives and insights, particularly from those who will be directly affected by the data collection processes.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the renewal and evaluation of this performance report form can have positive implications for the IMLS's ability to continue supporting library services in Native American communities with transparency and accountability. Public comments can help refine the data collection process, making it more effective and less burdensome. However, without detailed cost and burden estimates, potential respondents might face unintended challenges.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Specifically, Native American tribes that receive grant funding would directly interact with this form. Positive impacts could arise from a simplified and more efficient reporting system, but the lack of clarity on technological requirements and the potential introduction of new procedures or requirements could pose challenges for tribes lacking sufficient technological infrastructure or capacity.
In conclusion, while the IMLS's efforts to gather public opinion indicate a commitment to refining and improving its processes, addressing the outlined issues, particularly around transparency and outreach, will ultimately benefit both the agency and grant recipients. Drafting precise, clear, and comprehensive documentation around these processes will likely foster better collaboration and success in supporting Native American libraries.
Issues
• The document does not specify the estimated number of respondents, which is necessary to gauge the overall burden and impact of the data collection.
• The estimated average burden per response, total annual burden, and total annual costs are all marked as TBD, which leaves uncertainty about the actual resource commitment required from the respondents.
• It is unclear if sufficient outreach has been conducted to ensure all potentially impacted Native American tribes are aware of this opportunity to comment.
• The language could be clearer regarding if there are any new changes to the form instructions or content that might impact past respondents.
• The document does not specify if there are any new or emerging technologies that might affect how information is collected, potentially leaving some respondents unprepared for technological requirements.