Synopses & Reviews
Summary: Managers and staff in libraries and information services in all sectors are increasingly required to prepare project proposals and bid for funding, usually for external funding, but also as part of internal strategic planning and management processes. The projects proposed must be realistic and feasible, because library managers and staff will be required to deliver their project on time and in budget. If managers get the planning wrong at project proposal stage, the consequences for implementation can be difficult to overcome. This book provides guidance on the various steps involved in project development, planning and the preparation of bids for funding based on the author's own experience and that of many organisations in the cultural heritage and education sectors. It guides service managers and staff through the task of scoping, developing and writing viable, realistic and winning proposals, drawing on a range of techniques from strategic planning, financial management, project management and business development. Key Features: Uses practical, up-to-date examples relevant to the cultural heritage sector Different methodologies: for example - preparing business plans, evaluation; planning cost and time/effort inputs Templates and checklists for writing effective proposals The Author - Julie Carpenter is Director and Lead Consultant of Education for Change Ltd (Efe. She is a qualified librarian and joined the British Council, working to improve the Council's own library and information services. She led the British Council's policy and strategic inputs on book and information provision in education projects funded by the World Bank. She has been a consultant since 1990 and was successful in developing and managing research projects under the European Union's early R&D Framework Programmes. She has led and managed research and consulting projects in the UK for the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISe of the Higher Education Funding Councils, and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). From 2004 - 2006 she directed the summative evaluation of the UK Big Lottery Fund's ICT Content for Learning Programmes. Readership: Managers and staff with responsibilities for service development and innovation within library and information and related services in the cultural heritage and education sectors. Students and teachers of information studies will find it valuable in the context of strategic planning and management studies. Contents: Introduction Defining and testing the project idea Matching project ideas to funding opportunities Building partnerships Assembling evidence in support of your proposal Setting project aims, objectives and outcomes Project planning Planning techniques and tools Monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment Writing effective project proposals Index
Review
"…an excellent contribution to the bookshelves of practicing LIS professionals, academics and researchers. …highly recommended as essential reading for all LIS professionals facing any need to apply for funding. I believe it also should be brought to the attention of LIS students." -Online Information Review "…provides a rich source of current information about project funding …invaluable for those undertaking their very first project proposal as well as those with many years experience of successful proposals." -Australian Library Journal "…a thoroughly readable and practical book…a very good book and I recommend it." -The Electronic Library
Synopsis
Author Julie Carpenter spells out the steps involved in project development, planning, and preparation of bids for funding, and illustrates each with up-to-date, real-world examples. Library Project Funding is a guide to the preparation of a complete business plan, and draws from a wide range of best practices in strategic planning, financial management and budget evaluation, project management, and business development. Chapters include templates and checklists provide additional reinforcement to help effectively scope, develop, and write viable, realistic, and winning proposals to acquire the needed funds.
About the Author
Julie Carpenter is Director and Lead Consultant of Education for Change Ltd. (EfC), UK. She has been a consultant since 1990.
Table of Contents
Introduction Defining and testing the project idea Matching project ideas to funding opportunities Building partnerships Assembling evidence in support of your proposal Setting project aims, objectives and outcomes Project planning Project planning techniques and tools Monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment Writing effective project proposals