Message-ID: <199604081650.AA19371@sdnpk.undp.org> Date: Mon, 8 Apr 1996 14:39:16 -0400 From: Riaz Khan <mailto:RIAZKHAN%nldp@SDNPK.UNDP.ORG> Subject: RURAL INFORMATION SERVICES To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
Dear List members, Below is a project related to information and development. I thought it may be of interest.35 RS. = 1 US $
RURAL INFORMATION SERVICE (RISE) PILOT PROJECT
1. Background At present rural areas have very little access to information which is being generated in the Urban areas especially by the development projects. Most of the information is disseminated on an adhoc basis. A sustainable mechanism has so far not been developed. Most extension projects fail due to lack of a viable system for dessimination of information. This is mostly due to the lack of proper library facilities and Information Services at the village level. Moreover most of the information is in a form which can not be easily digested by the people at the village level. Hence there is need to develop a Dynamic Rural Information Service (RISE) through which information can be made available at the village level and in form which is easily understandable. This pilot project presents an approach to provide information services at the village level by establishing Village Information Centers (VIC) at each Village.
2. Target Group The following target group is expected to benefit from the project. - Adults (MEN AND WOMEN) - Youth and Children The Information service will cater to the Educated, Neo- Literate and the Uneducated. Both Males and Females will be included as part of the target group.
3. Project Objectives The objectives of the RISe project are to provide the following Information Services at the village level:
3.1 General information General information refers to local Newspapers, Magazines and Books. At present many villages do not have access to current information. The greatest demand is this area.
3.2 Development Information Development information includes the literature generated by Development Institutions. It will mainly include extension literature which is especially designed for the rural areas. Information about Agriculture, Family Planning, Health, Environment and Education will be disseminated.
3.3 Reference service facilities Information required by the villagers will be provided by starting a reference service. Queries of villagers will be answered by experienced Librarians who will make use of their existing library Network in the cities.
3.4 Regular lectures Information will also be disseminated through Lectures on topics of interest. These lectures will also fulfill the demands of the uneducated villagers. They are expected to be held once in two weeks initially.
3.5 Inter Library Loan Service Demand for books and other literature will also be met by developing a formal Inter Library Loan Service with the nearest Public Library.
3.6 Continuing education for Neo-Literate The service will also assist the Government efforts in eradicating Illiteracy. The neo-literate will have a chance to continue their education. It is expected that the literacy projects will provide the Literacy literature which includes primers and the supplementary material.
3.7 Information about the village The Village information center will also provide information about the village to development agencies.
3.8 A village coordinating unit for development projects The Information Center will also act as a coordinating center for development projects by keeping information about the various projects which are being implemented by various organizations in the village.
4. Implementation Mechanism
4.1 General Implementation/Monitoring Mechanism After the identification of a suitable location for the VIC, the Pakistan Library Association (PLA) will establish the VIC. This will involve:
- purchase of furniture - arranging subscription to newspapers and Magazines - arranging donations of Books - arranging for literacy material - purchase of new Books - arranging inter library loan service with other libraries - prepare a schedule for the lectures in coordination with the local NGOs - arrange for reference services
It is expected that initially the VIC will be a non- lending Library. No material will be allowed outside the library.
The Literacy Cell of the Government will provide the transport. For the pilot phase ( which may include about 6 libraries) the costs will be borne by the Netherlands Library Development Project. The local NGO/Village will provide the space and manpower to run the VIC. Monitoring will be carried out by the Literacy Cell, PLA and the Local NGOs.
4.2 Implementing Agencies and their roles: The following agencies will have to be involved if full benefits of the project are to be obtained:
- Pakistan Library Association (PLA) The Pakistan Library Association will provide the technical support to the Village Information Centers. Their main responsibility will be to determine needs, supply information, frame library rules and regulations, and make necessary purchases. They will also arrange for lectures in coordination with the other agencies. PLA has branches in all the major cities. The association was established in 1957. Moreover some of the librarians also live in the villages. PLA has already agreed to provide the necessary support.
- Literacy Cells of Governments/(NETCOM) NETCOM is the main Government Organization involved with the eradication of Illiteracy from the country. The have coordinating offices in all the major cities. The Literacy cells have also shown considerable interest in the project as they are interested in providing continuing education to the neo-literate. The Literacy Cells will provide transport to the PLA for visits to the villages. This is possible as they are frequently visiting the villages for monitoring the literacy classes. They are also expected to monitor the activities of the VIC during their regular visits. They will also provide the literacy material for the VIC.
- NGOs involved with Literacy Projects For the first time the Government has involved the NGOs in the Literacy Projects. NGOs are now implementing some of the literacy projects under the guidance of NETCOM and the Literacy Cells. NGOs have also shown a keen interest in the project. The local NGOs at the village level will provide the space and the manpower to look-after the VIC. The local supervisor of the NGOs will assist with most of the activities including monitoring of the center.
- NGOs involved in Rural Development Work NGOs not involved with Literacy projects will be approached for providing resource persons for lectures and extension material.
- Rural Development Projects of Government and Donors It is expected that the staff of these projects will also provide information and lectures at the village level.
- Netherlands Library Development Project The overall RISE project will be coordinated by the Netherlands Library Development Project. The project will provide Technical, Financial and Managerial support for the pilot phase. 4.2 Detailed Implementation Mechanism The detailed implementation mechanism for meeting the project objectives is given below:
3.1 General information PLA will purchase the local Newspapers, Magazines and Books. A needs assessment survey will be conducted by PLA. It is expected that subscription will be made to about 2-4 newspaper and 2-4 magazines. Advertisements will also be placed from time to time for donation of old Books and Magazines.
3.2 Development Information PLA will develop ties with the relevant Developmental organizations (like UNICEF etc.) to obtain development and extension literature. It is expected that these will be provided free of charge. NGOs and the Literacy Cells will also contribute in this process.
3.3 Reference service facilities Information required by the villagers will be recorded at the Village information Center in a register. PLA will then through its Library and Information Network arrange to supply the relevant Information at the village level.
3.4 Regular lectures PLA in coordination with the local NGO will arrange for the lectures. The lectures will be based on the needs of the villagers. PLA will seek the assistance of the various NGOs and Government Departments in this regard.
3.5 Inter Library Loan Service PLA will develop the rules for a formal Inter Library Loan Service between the Village Information Center and the other Libraries. The monthly acquisition list will be provided at the VIC. The Users can then make a selection. PLA will arrange for the delivery of Books.
3.6 Continuing education facility for Neo-Literate The Literacy Cell and the NGOs involved with Literacy projects will also followup on this activity. They will provide the necessary followup material for the neo- literate. There are more than 300 books which have been developed for the continuing education of the neo- literate.
3.7 Information about the village The Village information center will also keep complete information about the village. The local NGO will assist in keeping the information upto-date. Photocopies could be provided to survey teams and other projects.
3.8 Village coordinating unit for development projects The VIC will keep information about the development efforts being undertaken in the village. This will be done in collaboration with the local NGOs. Moreover the VIC can also assist in organizing lectures in the village for the new projects.
5.0 Budget The budget details are as follows: Amount RS. Capital Cost (one time) - Furniture Chairs/Bench 3000 Tables 3000 Carpet/Mat 4000 Cupboards/Shelves 9000 Others 1000
TOTAL 20000
Yearly Recurring Costs - Books 10000 - Newspapers 7000 - Magazines 3000 - Miscellaneous 3000
TOTAL 23000
Assumptions All space and manpower will be provide by the Local NGO /Village. Transport will be provided by the Literacy Cell. The recurring costs can be much less depending on the donations, free literature provide by agencies, and the volume of inter-library loan. Moreover older issues of magazines/newspapers could be provided at the village level to save costs.
6.0 Analysis/Conclusion
The benefits of a well organized Village Information Center are tremendous. It can act as a powerful conductor through which information can be passed from the village to the City and vice versa. A village these days is the focus of many uncoordinated development projects. Sometimes these unplanned efforts have negative effect as the villagers are being pulled in opposite directions. The VIC can act as a coordinating unit by supplying accurate information about the different development projects being implemented in the village. An important role that the VIC can play is that of providing information at the village level about the various resources which could be tapped for the development of the village.
The critical factor for the successful implementation of this concept are:
- good transportation system Because of the Literacy project it is now possible to visit the villages frequently. Given the literacy level in the country it can be assumed that the literacy projects will continue for some time and that the transport will be available. In case this is not so then a Jeep could be purchased or arrangement could be made with other development projects.
- Role of PLA PLA has to play a major role in this project. The PLA is an old association and has the capabilities to undertake such a project. PLA is already in the business of collecting, organizing and disseminating information. Moreover PLA is being strengthened by the Netherlands Library Development Project. So a good performance can be expected from them.
- Role of Development Agencies At present most development agencies are facing the problem of disseminating extension literature to the village level. A sustainable and cost effective system has no far not been developed. It seems logical that they will use this service for their own projects.
- Monitoring Regular monitoring is essential for the success of the project. Monitoring of the VIC will be very effective as atleast three agencies will be involved ie. Literacy Cell staff, PLA and the Local NGOs.
- Finances The recurring costs are not very great. If the pilot project is successful then the costs could be picked up by the existing public library system in future.
In a nutshell it seems that for proper Rural Development some sort of sustainable and regular Rural Information Service also has to be developed. Development efforts will be wasted if the information cannot be communicated to the grassroots level.
7.0 Present Status The Netherlands Library Development Project is in the process of establishing two VIC in Quetta (Killi Kotwal and Kaichi Baig) and one in Karachi (Murad Memon).
REGARDS
Riaz Khan E-MAIL: mailto:riazkhan%nldp@sdnpk.undp.org National Representative Netherlands Library Development Project No. 13, Street 2, F 7/2 Islamabad - Pakistan Tel: 92-51-223853 Fax: 92-51-223854