(a) In general

The Director shall regularly support and conduct, as appropriate, policy research, data collection, analysis and modeling, evaluation, and dissemination of information to extend and improve the Nation’s museum, library, and information services.

(b) Objectives

Terms Used In 20 USC 9108

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Director: means the Director of the Institute appointed under section 9103 of this title. See 20 USC 9101
  • Fiscal year: The fiscal year is the accounting period for the government. For the federal government, this begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends; for example, fiscal year 2006 begins on October 1, 2005 and ends on September 30, 2006.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • State: means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any other territory or possession of the United States. See 1 USC 7

The objectives of the policy research, data collection, analysis and modeling, evaluation, and dissemination of information carried out under this section include the following:

(1) To enhance and expand the capacity of museums, libraries, and information services to anticipate, respond to, and meet the evolving needs of communities and the public, including by identifying trends and developments that may impact the need for and delivery of services.

(2) To provide information and data on the role, value, and impact of museum, library, and information resources, including the identification of trends and potential gaps in the availability and use of museum and library services by their communities and the public.

(3) To measure the effectiveness of museums, libraries, and information services throughout the United States, including the impact of Federal programs authorized under this chapter.

(4) To identify indicators and outcomes that can be used to create enhancements to the efficiency and efficacy of museum, library, and information services.

(5) To promote advancement and growth in museum, library, and information services through sharing of best practices and effective strategies in order to better serve the people of the United States.

(6) To facilitate planning for, and building of, institutional capacity in order to improve—

(A) museum, library, and information services at the national, State, local, and regional levels; and

(B) international communications and cooperative networks.


(7) To support and enhance collaborative professional networks and consortia that use shared, meaningful, and actionable data analysis and modeling to advance museum, library, and information services and address community needs.

(c) Authority to contract and enter into other arrangements

The Director is authorized to enter into grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and other arrangements with Federal agencies, public and private organizations, and other entities with expertise the Director determines appropriate, to further the objectives described in subsection (b) and to carry out the responsibilities under subsection (f).

(d) Consultation and public engagement

In carrying out subsection (a) and in furtherance of the objectives described in subsection (b), the Director—

(1) shall conduct ongoing collaboration (as determined appropriate by the Director) and consult with—

(A) State library administrative agencies; and

(B) National, State, tribal, and regional museum and library organizations; and


(2) may also collaborate or consult with—

(A) cooperative networks of geographic- or discipline-based museums and libraries; and

(B) other applicable agencies, organizations (including international organizations), entities (including entities with expertise in the fields of data collection, analysis and modeling, and evaluation), and community stakeholders.

(e) Assistance to museums and libraries

The Director shall provide technical support and assistance (and other resources, to the extent practicable) to ensure consistency in data reporting and help the museum and library fields with meeting the objectives of this section.

(f) Dissemination

(1) In general

Each year, the Director shall widely disseminate, as appropriate to further the objectives described in subsection (b)—

(A) the results, data, reports, findings, studies, surveys, and other information obtained under this section;

(B) the means and approaches by which the objectives described in subsection (b) were accomplished; and

(C) information regarding the manner and extent to which collaboration and consultation were conducted, as required by subsection (d).

(2) Formats to be used

The information described in paragraph (1) shall be shared in formats that facilitate access and ease of use and are searchable.

(g) Authorization of appropriations

(1) In general

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2020 through 2025.

(2) Availability of funds

Sums appropriated under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year shall remain available for obligation until expended.

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