Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
On
Conducting the Evaluation Study of the existing schemes of RRRLF
1
1
Call for proposals for Conducting this Work ............................................................................... 3
2
Context for the Survey ................................................................................................................ 4
3
Quantitative and qualitative Survey ........................................................................................... 5
4
The RRRLF’s view of this investigation ........................................................................................ 7
5
The users of the outputs of the Survey....................................................................................... 8
2
1
Call for proposals for Conducting this Work
Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), a Central Autonomous Organization under the Ministry of
Culture, Government of India, has shortlisted some agencies through a due process for selecting the final one
that would carry out the evaluation study of the existing schemes of RRRLF. The selected organization shall
have vast experience in the field of primary data collection and subsequent in-depth analysis and study,
consultancy and in survey work.
The context for this survey program is described below and the survey purpose, goals and objectives are
outlined. The intended audiences for the research findings and the broad areas for investigation are identified,
along with a provisional timetable for selecting the research organization, planning, conducting and reporting
on this work. We also offer our preliminary thoughts on the preferred research design.
1.1
Call for proposals
RRRLF is requesting for short proposals from organizations indicating how they envisage carrying out the
evaluation study of the existing schemes of RRRLF. The proposal should be limited to not more than eight
pages (excluding any brief biographies of the proposed key members of the research team) and should
include:

Technical Specifications
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Financial Bid
1
2

A brief explanation to show why your organization is appropriate to undertake this work
including reference to any other relevant work that you have carried out.
A brief comment on the public library development context in India, spreading across the various
geographies and terrains.
A description of how you expect to carry out this work, including the anticipated research
methods, how you would deploy your research resources to conduct the work, how you
anticipate ensuring that relevant public library planning and management expertise is tapped
during the research, what major problems (if any) you anticipate in carrying out the work and
how you would expect to overcome any such problems.
If method of survey is based on questionnaire, suggestions on improvement of the example
annexed are expected from you.
An assurance that surveys will be translated into appropriate languages. Translation must occur
with input from public library officials in each state, to ensure that the vocabulary employed is
appropriate for the sector. We expect that the surveys of library users will be conducted face-toface to ensure that questions are adequately understood and that appropriate quotas of library
users can be achieved.
An indication of how you would expect to report on this work.
A list of any questions that you would like resolved before being invited to undertake this work.
Short biographies of the anticipated project leaders for this work, highlighting the skills that they
would bring to bear (short CVs for key team members would also be welcomed as an attachment
to your expression of interest, if the provisional project team has already been chosen).
Complete set of audited accounts for last 3 years.
An itemized presentation of the costs of carrying out this work.
Note: The technical spec and financial bid needs to be submitted together in separate sealed envelope.
3
1.2
Selection criteria
Selection of potential vendor will be based on how well the expression of interest meets the requirements set
out in 1.1 above.
1.3
Short listing timetable
Proposals in the form outlined above should be submitted within 21 days from the date of its
publication in the newspaper.
A 30 minute face to face session with the selection panel which shall include a 15 minute presentation
and another 15 minute Q&A session on a later date.
Unsuccessful organizations will be informed of the decision by the same day.
Agencies selected after Technical Proposal presentation will be considered for financial bidding on the
same day.
2
Context for the Survey
Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation has evolved and framed the following two schemes for the
growth, expansion and improvement of the libraries:
A) Book Assistance Schemes:
The matching books assistance scheme is available to all grades of public libraries. The non- matching
book assistance scheme is available for the various Centrally Sponsored and State Central Libraries.
B) Financial Assistance Schemes:
The Matching Schemes- where State/ Union Territory have to participate in programme of the Foundation
by paying contributions on pre-determined basis. The schemes are available for assistance:In organizing Seminars, Workshops, Training Courses (Orientation /Refresher), Book Exhibitions and
Library Awareness Programmes.
In storage materials, reading room furniture and library equipment like card cabinet, fire extinguisher,
generator, water cooler etc. including photo copier
In development of Rural Book Deposit Centre’s and Mobile Library Services
In increasing accommodation for books in libraries below district level
In acquiring Computer with Accessories for Library Application and TV, CD Player, DVD Player for
Educational Purposes
The matching shares varies from state to state i.e. 50:50, 60:40 or 90:10 depending on the library system
and services prevailing in various States.
50:50: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu and West
Bengal
60:40: Andaman & Nicobar, Bihar, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Himachal
Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar
Pradesh and Uttaranchal.
90:10: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
The idea of the non-matching scheme is to:
assist the Voluntary Organization providing Public Library Services
4
assist to develop different sections of General Public Libraries
assist to Public Libraries towards celebration of 50/60/75/100/125/150 years and the like
assist in organizing the Seminar/ Conference by Professional Organizations, Local Bodies, NGOs
engaged in Public Library Development/ Library Movement and University Departments of Library
Science
assist in connection and compilation of library statistics through official and non- official agencies
assist the central/state govt. sponsored institutions/ organization and providing public library services
in rural areas
assist to establish the RRRLF Children Corner
assist in providing facilities for differentially-abled users in the Libraries establishment of RRRLF
differentially-abled corner
Assistance under these schemes is given by fully from RRRLF’s own resource on 75:25 (75% being RRRLF’s
Share).
Hence, the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation intends to provide all sorts of help to the libraries by
facilitating construction of the library building, equipping the building with furniture, providing books of
different categories and languages setting up audio-visual units for motivation of the illiterates, promulgating
reading habit amongst children by building children libraries or augmenting the space for children books in the
existing libraries.
The Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation is committed to the development of an integrated library system
involving National, state and District Level Libraries. Hence, Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation
undertakes a hoard of promotional activities (like seminar, collection of statistics, publications, research and
advisory functions) in addition to the financial assistance in delivers. Thus, in 42 bright years of its existence, it
has accorded invaluable support in the expansion and improvement of library services in the country.
Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation intends to take a stock of the prevailing situation of public library in
the different states. Subsequently, they intend to design schemes to meet the critical needs of libraries and
beneficiaries and evolve methods to that they can reach out to the libraries.
3
Quantitative and qualitative Survey
3.1. Objective
To identify the status of library system across the States
To assess the significance of RRRLF in the development of Public Library movement
To indentify lacuna within the existing system and suggest remedies thereof
To review the book purchase policy.`
To identify the status of Infrastructure & facilities available across the States.
3.2 Scope of the Study
The scope of the study, in order to achieve the above objectives, would encompass the following attributes
within its purview:An overview of each State
Demographic profile of the State
Literacy Prof ile
Existing total no. of Libraries
No. of Libraries at each level ( State/ District/ Block/ Community)
Infrastructure of the libraries at different levels
5
Role of the libraries in their hinterland
Existing Regulations pertaining to the development of the libraries.
State of implementation of regulations
Schemes available for the assistance of the libraries — their type and nature.
Awareness about public library system
Awareness about different levels of libraries in the State.
Expectations from a public library
Users of public library at each level
Non — users and their point of view
Awareness of about Technology development in Library field.
Type of members visiting the library.
Profile of the library users.
Type of the Materials available at the libraries.
The libraries not assisted by the RRRLF schemes would also be covered under the scope to find out:
Year of Establishment
Infrastructure of the Library
Nature of Problems faced
State Govt. prerogatives in the development of libraries
Awareness about various assistance schemes available from RRRLF.
Check is any need to review the distribution policy to enhance the utility of books
supplied.
The libraries assisted by the RRRLF would also be covered under the scope to find out:
Year of Establishment
Infrastructure of the Library
Problems faced prior to the adoption of RRRLF Scheme
Year RRRLF Scheme adopted
Nature of the RRRLF Scheme adopted — Book Assistance / Financial Assistance
Type of the Scheme adopted — Matching / Non Matching
Type of Institutions/organizations eligible for assistance.
Role of RRRLF Scheme to emulate the problems faced prior to its adoption
Merits of the Scheme under which funding is received
Demerits of the Scheme under which funding is received
Awareness about the other RRRLF Schemes available
Expectation from RRRLF to integrate libraries in a better way.
RRRLF is able to respond the changing needs of library clientele under existing
schemes.
Any modification under existing schemes which can reach a larger population.
3.3. The Sample
Adequate coverage should be given to the libraries upto rural level. Besides, the beneficiaries should also be
contacted around each library. The sampling plan for the assignment shall be on 2500 libraries.
The agency to finalize the composition of the sample in consultation with RRRLF and any change to this agreed
composition will be made only after discussions with RRRLF.
6
3. 3.Survey format
The agency to discuss and agree the format of the survey and methodology to be used with RRRLF.
3. 4. Survey instruments
The agency to discuss and agree the instruments to be employed in the survey with RRRLF. A draft
questionnaire for quantitative survey is annexed for reference.
3. 5.Timeline and milestones
To complete the work in six months after the award of the project. The agency will agree to the milestones
established in consultation with RRRLF.
3. 6.Survey outputs
The agency to analyze the survey data as per RRRLF requirements, and to submit a draft report first.In the final
version of the report, the agency to incorporate suggestions made by RRRLF on the draft report.
The agency has to submit the raw data in digital form in a format agreed with RRRLF.
4
The RRRLF’s view of this investigation
Although it is expected that the bidding organization would propose its own program of research to conduct
the work, it may be useful to outline some of our expectations.
We envisage that the research to be commissioned will entail:
1
2
3
4
5
A face-to-face survey of public library users in each of the public library catchment areas covered by
this program
A face-to-face survey of non-public library users in each of the public library catchment areas covered
by this program. (The survey sample should include minority and socially-excluded groups.)
A face-to-face survey of public library users who have used computers provided in public libraries for
their own purposes. (Again, the survey sample should include minority and socially-excluded groups.)
In-depth conversations with a range of people in local communities in all/most of the catchment
areas of the public libraries engaged in this program.
A face-to-face survey of public library librarian and users in each of the public library catchment areas
covered by this program.
Turning to the question areas, we envisage that these are likely to include:
-
General population
Library users
Library non-users
Library staff and managers
Local communities in the vicinity of libraries present
7
-
General perception about the libraries including the public libraries
As noted above, we anticipate that five groups of respondents will be surveyed across the selected
geographies. For the surveys of users and non-users of public libraries and its services within the public
libraries, a large enough sample of respondents will be required in each geography to adequately represent
the range of library users and non-users (by gender and age as well as by such dimensions as rural/urban;
broad occupational categories; and broad education levels) to reflect the overall patterns of use in each
geography and the information-related behavior of the range of respondents.
5
The users of the outputs of the Survey
It is envisaged that outputs of the survey would be used by the following stakeholders for planning and
enhancing library services in the changing context of the Indian society:
-
-
National policy-makers responsible for framing public library related policy, including the Board of
RRRLF, the Ministry of Culture and the Departments interested in partnering in public library
program
State leaders and administrators responsible for rolling out of public library services to citizens
Local library authorities and local administrators responsible for overseeing and implementing
library services to citizens
Library staff and professional organizations involved in planning, partnering and promoting library
services to citizens
Funding and partner-based organizations who are interested in supporting the development and
enhancement of public library program in India.
Deliverable:
1.
State wise report of the public library situation.
2.
Evaluation of the role of libraries across all states, benchmarking and relative index of library situation.
Recommendation shall be made about the role and responsibility of the respective State Governments
and of RRRLF separately on library situation and offerings.
3.
Evaluation of the present schemes of RRRLF, state wise success of the schemes (if any) with
respect to different profiles of library and different states. Recommendations on how to create
schemes, which can reach a larger population of libraries and carry the library movement forward.
All these compilation shall be both qualitative and quantitative.
8