FR 2021-00186

Summary of the Document

The notice from the National Library of Medicine, issued by the National Institutes of Health, informs the public about a change in the schedule for the Board of Regents meeting. Originally planned as a two-day meeting on February 9-10, 2021, the meeting will now be held for a single day on February 9, 2021. The amended meeting hours are from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and it will be accessible online through a live stream at https://videocast.nih.gov. Members of the public are invited to submit written comments within 15 days following the meeting.

Significant Issues and Concerns

One notable issue with the notice is the lack of details regarding the agenda or topics to be discussed at the meeting. Without this information, it is challenging for stakeholders and the public to gauge the relevance or significance of the meeting's discussions. Additionally, the notice does not explain why the meeting duration was shortened, which could lead to questions about the planning or organization of the event.

The notice also falls short in providing clear instructions on how to join the virtual meeting beyond simply providing a URL. Details such as whether any specific software or login credentials are required would be important for ensuring public accessibility. Furthermore, guidance on how to submit comments or to whom they should be directed is absent, except for the deadline, leaving potential participants unclear about the process of submitting their input.

Finally, there is no description of how the virtual meeting will be conducted or how public transparency will be maintained, which might concern those interested in observing the proceedings.

Public Impact

The document impacts the public by inviting them to engage with the meeting through written commentary, offering an opportunity to voice opinions or concerns. However, the constraints and lack of clear participation instructions could deter public involvement. The meeting is meant to facilitate public insight into the workings of the Board of Regents, but barriers to access or the ability to understand meeting processes might limit this intent.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders such as researchers, healthcare professionals, and policy advocates who may have a vested interest in the decision-making processes of the National Library of Medicine, the unavailability of meeting agenda details may hinder their ability to prepare and submit relevant comments. Their contributions could be more informed and influential if the specific topics were known beforehand. The change in meeting length and time could also affect stakeholders' ability to participate, particularly if they had previously arranged their schedules around the original two-day format.

For the National Library of Medicine, the notice and its organization impact its relationship with the public. Transparency and effective communication of meeting logistics and content are crucial for building trust and ensuring that stakeholder needs and concerns are appropriately reflected and considered.