Public Libraries Survey

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Form Website question 1 PLA Question about website usage Form	Unchanged
IMLS OMB PLS Supporting Statement Part B 2020-07-02.docx Supplementary Document	2021-09-28
IMLS OMB PLS Supporting Statement Part A 20200922docx.docx Supplementary Document	2021-09-28
Justification B PLS 2021_20210927.docx Supporting Statement B	2021-09-28
Justification A PLS 2021_20210927.docx Supporting Statement A	2021-09-28
IMLS OMB PLS Supporting Statement Part A 2020-07-02.docx Supplementary Document	2020-09-22
IMLS OMB PLS Supporting Statement Part B Final 2019-08-15.docx Supplementary Document	2020-07-09
IMLS OMB PLS Supporting Statement Part A Final 2019-08-15.docx Supplementary Document	2020-07-09
Justification for Change - PLS 2018.docx Justification for No Material/Nonsubstantive Change	2018-07-31

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
249557	Public Libraries Survey FY 2021-FY 2023 Instruction	New
232496	PLA Question about website usage Form	Unchanged
209111	Public Libraries Survey Instruction	Unchanged

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 3137-0074	ICR Reference No: 202109-3137-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202007-3137-001
Agency/Subagency: IMLS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Public Libraries Survey
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 09/28/2021

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	09/30/2023
Responses	168	112
Time Burden (Hours)	10,686	5,416
Cost Burden (Dollars)	307,858	153,753

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Abstract: The Public Libraries Survey has been conducted by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the clearance number 3137-0074. Pursuant to P.L. 107-279, the Public Libraries Survey collects annual descriptive data on the universe of public libraries in the United States, the District of Columbia, and the Outlying Areas. Information such as public service hours per year, circulation of library books, number of librarians, population of legal service area, expenditures for library collection, programs for children and young adults, staff salary data, and access to technology, etc., would be collected. Additional information: The FY 2020 PLS aims to capture Coronavirus-related practices from the entire universe of approximately 9,300 public libraries in the United States, the District of Columbia, and outlying areas. Compared to the FY 2020 survey, the FY 2021 PLS will include changes to 35 questions, as follows: • Addition of 16 questions and modification of six questions about the number of library programs and attendance at those programs with more granularity by targeted age group and by format • Addition of three questions about other physical collection items and circulation to capture availability and usage of non-traditional library materials (e.g., wireless hotspots, other technology, household items) • Addition of two questions and modification of two questions related to the number of public access computers, the number of public access computer user sessions, and the number of wireless internet sessions; these changes will collect indicators of the precision of related questions • Revision of one question and deletion of five questions related to library services during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Authorizing Statute(s): None

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	86 FR 33782	06/25/2021
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	86 FR 53693	09/28/2021
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 3

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
PLA Question about website usage	Website question 1	PLA Website Question
Public Libraries Survey
Public Libraries Survey FY 2021-FY 2023

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	168	112	0	56	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	10,686	5,416	0	5,270	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	307,858	153,753	0	154,105	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Minor change in burden for FY2021-20213 Survey Collection

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $726,187

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 09/28/2021

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