No
material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved
collection
No
Regular
09/28/2023
Requested
Previously Approved
11/30/2024
11/30/2024
168
168
10,686
10,686
307,858
307,858
In this clearance submission
(3137-0074) and justification, IMLS is requesting approval of
non-substantive changes to a previously approved clearance for the
FY2023 Public Library Survey. These changes consist of removing ten
Yes/No data elements related to the COVID-19 pandemic from the
FY2023 PLS instrument. These elements were originally introduced
through an expedited approval process in Spring 2020 to be added to
the FY2020 PLS cycle collected the following year. The removal of
these data elements does not introduce significant changes to the
estimated respondent burden nor to the costs to the federal
government. 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
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.
Form Website question 1 PLA Question about website usage
3137-0074_IMLS_ Removal of COVID Questions for FY23 PLS_20230928.docx
Public Libraries Survey FY 2021-FY 2023