FR 2025-06282

The document from the Federal Register announces a meeting for the Board of Regents of the National Library of Medicine to be held virtually on July 8, 2025. This meeting will include an open session accessible to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., which will focus on program discussions. Following the open session, the meeting will transition to a closed session from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. to review and evaluate grant applications. The closure of this session is due to the review of confidential trade secrets or personal information, which is protected under legal statutes.

Significant Issues or Concerns

One of the primary concerns is the lack of detailed information about the specific topics to be discussed during the "Program Discussion." The absence of clarity can be perceived as a deficiency in transparency concerning how the Board of Regents conducts its business.

Additionally, the document references legal provisions such as sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6) of Title 5, U.S.C., to justify the closed session. However, these legal citations are not explained in a manner that might be clear to someone unfamiliar with specific legal terminology, potentially causing confusion among the general audience about why certain parts of the meeting are not open to the public.

There are practical concerns regarding access to the virtual meeting. Although a link to the NIH Videocast website is provided, the document does not offer guidance on finding the specific meeting once on the site, which could result in some attendees struggling to access the session.

Furthermore, while the procedure for submitting written comments is mentioned, the absence of a specific email or mailing address might lead to confusion, discouraging public engagement.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, this document signifies an opportunity to engage with and understand some of the activities and decision-making processes of the National Library of Medicine's Board of Regents. However, the lack of detail about the meeting topic may limit the perceived relevance or importance of attending the open session.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Specific stakeholders, such as scientists, researchers, or entities interested in federal grants from the National Library of Medicine, might find the closed session review of particular interest. The confidentiality maintained during the closed session, while necessary for protecting sensitive information, may prevent these stakeholders from gaining detailed insights into the grant evaluation process.

For individuals with disabilities or those requiring special accommodations to attend the virtual meeting, the document does provide a mechanism to ensure accessibility through advance notification to the contact person, Sarah Edwards.

In conclusion, while the document serves as an official notice of an important meeting, there are areas where additional clarity and specificity could enhance the document's usefulness and accessibility to a wider audience.