[Federal Register: March 28, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 58)]
[Notices]               
[Page 15613-15614]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28mr05-28]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service

 
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Collect Information

AGENCY: USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural 
Library.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 
CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
National Agricultural Library's intent to request approval for new 
information collection relating to the information needs of Library 
customers and potential customers, and customers' satisfaction with 
current Library services. This voluntary survey gives current and 
potential customers the opportunity to provide feedback that will 
assist Library staff in revising current services or creating new ones 
to meet customers' information needs more effectively.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 1, 2005 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Mary Ann 
Leonard, Special Projects Coordinator, Information Research Services 
Branch, National Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, 
Beltsville, MD, 20705-2351, telephone (301) 504-6500 or fax (301) 504-
6409. Submit electronic comments to leonard@nal.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: National Agricultural Library Information Needs Assessment.
    OMB Number: PRA.
    Expiration Date: Three years from date of approval.
    Type of Request: New data collection from customers and potential 
customers of the National Agricultural Library.
    Abstract: Executive Order 12862 seeks to establish high quality 
customer service standards within all federal agencies that provide 
significant services directly to the public. The National Agricultural 
Library (NAL) is one such agency, mandated by the Farm Bill of 1990 to 
serve as the primary agricultural resource of the United States. In 
that role, NAL is called upon to provide agricultural information and

[[Page 15614]]

information products to a variety of customers, including the Federal 
Government, public and private organizations, and individuals, within 
the United States and internationally. Therefore, in compliance with 
Executive Order 12862, it seeks to issue a survey to identify the 
customers it already serves, as well as those it should be serving; to 
determine the kind and quality of services they want; and to assess 
their level of satisfaction with existing services. The results of this 
survey will then be used to evaluate institutional performance, reform 
management practices, and reallocate resources to services in line with 
customer needs and expectations. If the information is not collected, 
NAL will be hindered from advancing its mandate to provide accurate, 
timely and easily accessible agricultural information to its customers.
    The entire information collection process will be conducted 
electronically. NAL will store its customer survey on a Web server. It 
will then invite customers and potential customers to take the survey 
via a broadly distributed email invitation. This invitation will 
include a link to the survey, where customers will answer the questions 
using pull-down menus, checkboxes, or radio buttons.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 15 minutes per respondent.
    Respondents: Individuals or households; Business or other for-
profit institutions; Not-for-profit institutions; Farms; Federal 
Government; State, local or tribal governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,250 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance for 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and the assumptions used; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who respond, including the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technology. Comments should 
be sent to the address in the preamble. All responses to this notice 
will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

    Dated: March 11, 2005.
Edward B. Knipling,
Administrator for Agricultural Research Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6026 Filed 3-25-05; 8:45 am]

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