The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) has contracted SRI International (SRI) to conduct an independent evaluation of the Communities for Immunity (C4I) Project. The C4I Project, administered by ASTC in partnership with the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), supports libraries, museums, and their partners to engage local communities with the aim of increasing COVID-19 vaccine confidence and, ultimately, of improving community vaccination rates. The C4I Project also aims to increase librariesâ and museumsâ organizational capacity to partner in addressing critical national and local issues.
This new emergency clearance request is for the study design and instruments that SRI proposes to use in evaluating C4I Round 2 award activities. Most of the proposed instruments are the same as those used in the Round 1 data collection, which OMB approved on November 15, 2021, under OMB Control Number 3137-0129. In consultation with OMB, IMLS has submitted two separate clearance requests to accommodate two sequential timelines and some variation in approach. Data collection activities for Round 1 activities were scheduled for November through December, 2021, and those for Round 2 activities are scheduled for January through April, 2022. Very brief surveys were appropriate for all Round 1 projects, which had a lower per-project funding ceiling, whereas the higher per-project funding ceiling in Round 2 is likely to result in more in-depth project activities that warrant slightly expanded data collection efforts.
This proposed data collection fills an urgent need to understand promising strategies for mitigating vaccine hesitancy and improving vaccination-seeking behavior and vaccination rates in communities around the country. More than 800,000 Americans have died of COVID-19-related causes since February 2020 and, despite widespread availability of the vaccine in the US, only 61 percent of Americans of all ages nationwide are fully vaccinated. In a 2020 survey measuring potential acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccines, just two-thirds (66%) of Americans said that they would definitely or probably get vaccinated when a COVID-19 vaccine became available; subsequent surveys have shown that vaccine hesitancy is a key reason for this choice. Sources of vaccine hesitancy included concerns that fast vaccine approval could reflect lowered quality standards, concerns about the newness of mRNA vaccine development, and misinformation circulated on social mediaâall despite evidence that vaccines are safe to use.
As COVID-19 continues to cause severe illness and death, increasing vaccination rates in the U.S. remains a top national priority. It is also vital to build confidence among parents and caregivers in the recently approved vaccine for children ages 5-11.
The projectâs short timeframe reflects the urgency of mitigating COVID-19 impacts, particularly in disproportionately affected communities where the project especially aims to make a difference. IMLS is seeking approval for this collection by January 25, 2022, in order to accelerate the timeline for sharing findings among IMLS stakeholders and with broader national audiences.
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:
(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;
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.
IMLS OMB C4I Round 2 Appendices_20220113.docx
Communities for Immunity Evaluation (Round 2)