ARS Seeks Comments on Information Collection Renewal

Detected March 14th, 2026

Summary

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is seeking public comments on the renewal of an existing information collection for document delivery services at the National Agricultural Library. This notice announces the intention to extend the current approval, which expires January 31, 2025, and requests feedback on the necessity, accuracy, and utility of the collection.

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What changed

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has issued a notice and request for comments regarding the renewal of an information collection titled 'Information Collection for Document Delivery Services at the National Agricultural Library (NAL)'. This collection, OMB Number 0518-0027, is currently approved through January 31, 2025. The ARS is seeking to extend this approval, which involves collecting information such as requester details, copyright compliance statements, and bibliographic information for interlibrary loan and copy requests.

Libraries, institutions, and organizations that request interlibrary loans or copies from the NAL are the respondents. The ARS is soliciting comments on the necessity, accuracy, utility, and clarity of the information collection, as well as methods to minimize respondent burden. Comments must be submitted by October 7, 2024. This is a routine procedural step to continue an existing information collection process under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

What to do next

Review the ARS notice for the information collection renewal.
Submit comments by October 7, 2024, if relevant to your institution's operations.

Source document (simplified)

Content

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice
announces the intention of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to request an extension of a currently approved information
collection, Information Collection for Document Delivery Services at the National Agricultural Library (NAL), which expires
January 31, 2025.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before October 7, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Send comments to: USDA, ARS-NAL, Digitization and Access Branch, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Room 305-D, Beltsville, MD 20705-2351.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Manuel Jusino, Librarian, telephone: 202-690-4051; email: manuel.jusino@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Information Collection for Document Delivery Services.

OMB Number: 0518-0027.

Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2025.

Type of Request: To extend a currently approved information collection process.

Abstract: In its role as both a preeminent agricultural research library and a national library of the United States, NAL (part of the
USDA's ARS) provides loans and copies of materials from its collections to libraries and other institutions and organizations.
NAL follows applicable copyright laws and interlibrary loan guidelines, standards, codes, and practices when providing loans
and copies and charges a fee, if applicable, for this service. To request a loan or copy, institutions must provide a formal
request to NAL using either NAL's web-based online request system or an interlibrary loan request system such as the Online
Computer Library Center or the National Library of Medicine's DOCLINE. Information in these requests includes the name, mailing
address, email address, and telephone number of the party requesting the material. The requestor must also provide a statement
acknowledging copyright compliance, bibliographic information for the material they are requesting, and the maximum dollar
amount they are willing to pay for the material. The collected information is used to deliver the material to the requestor,
monitor the return of loaned material to NAL, and identify and locate the requested material in NAL collections.

Estimate of Burden: Average 1.00 minute per response.

Description of Respondents: Respondents to the collection of information are those libraries, institutions, or organizations that request interlibrary
loans or copies of material in the NAL collections. Each respondent must furnish the information for each loan or copying
request.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 196.

Frequency of Responses: Average 9 per respondent.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 29 hours.

Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including whether the information will have a 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 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 are to respond, such as through the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques. Comments may be sent to Manuel Jusino at the address listed above
within 60 days of the date of publication. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for
OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

Marlen Eve, Acting Associate Administrator, Agricultural Research Service. [FR Doc. 2024-17447 Filed 8-7-24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-03-P