Apologies for cross-posting.
This is a long message. The text will also be available at:
http://www.bl.uk/services/ric/research/digirev.html
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Review of Digital Library Research: A Call for Proposals
The British Library Research and Innovation Centre (RIC)
Introduction
The British Library Research and Innovation Centre (BLRIC) currently
funds library and information research in the UK. A proposal to
transfer this function of the British Library to the Library and
Information Commission was suggested in a consultation paper issued by
the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in July following the
government's Comprehensive Spending Review. The BLRIC and the
Commission will continue to work closely together until the result of
the consultation exercise is announced.
Background
The BLRIC wishes to review the progress of digital library research
programmes with a view to determining future priorities for research
in this area. The current programme is mainly made up of projects
funded under a call for proposals in the financial year 1996/97. Some
of the projects funded under that call have now ended or will come to
an end over this course of this financial year, and a new round of
projects will be funded in the next financial year.
In order to help set future priorities, BLRIC wishes to fund a project
to analyse the findings of current and recently completed projects in
its Digital Libraries research programme. The project should also
provide an overview of work carried out under other UK digital library
research initiatives and any major overseas initiatives or projects.
Aim and objectives
The aim of the project is to provide information to BLRIC on digital
library research activities to help it to further develop its research
programme in this area.
The project should:
review progress and results of projects funded under the BLRIC Digital
Libraries research programme
review progress and results of projects funded under other BLRIC
research programmes that are also relevant to digital libraries
identify and review other digital library research initiatives in the
UK
identify and review major overseas digital library research
initiatives
highlight issues arising from current and recent projects requiring
further research
identify overlaps between the content of different research programmes
identify gaps in digital library research, particularly in the context
of Prospects, the Library and Information Commission national research
strategy document
Issues to be addressed
Proposers are invited to describe their understanding of what is meant
by digital libraries so that a common understanding on the scope of the
project can be reached between the proposers and BLRIC. The timescale
for completion of the research is tight, and proposers should
concentrate on BLRIC projects.
Proposal Requirements
The proposal should contain the following information:
a detailed outline of the research methods to be used
a project timetable
background to the organisation
members of the project team and their experience
proposals for dissemination
contact name and full contact details
price of research including a breakdown of major elements
The project team should demonstrate that they are knowledgeable in the
area of digital libraries, have a proven track record in research,
have experience of carrying out effective project management and are
capable of working to tight deadlines.
Cost
A maximum of £30,000 (including VAT) is available for this project.
This call for proposals is open to all. Price is one of the criteria
on which proposals will be judged, but is not the sole one.
Evaluation
Proposals will be reviewed in the first instance by BLRIC and
Commission staff. This stage of the evaluation process will ensure
that proposals meet all the requirements of this Call for proposals in
terms of scope, timescale, deliverables and cost. Proposals that meet
these requirements will then be sent to external referees. The
evaluation criteria at this stage will be appropriateness of methods
and allocation of resources, dissemination plans, credibility and
track record of proposers.
Deliverables
The deliverable will be a report and a presentation. The report will
place BLRIC funded research in a national and international context
and will be due no later than six months from the award of contract.
The presentation should take place soon after the end of the project.
Timescale
The project will last six months from the award of the contract. The
timetable for the project will be as follows:
31 October 1998 Call for proposals issued
30 November 1998 Closing date for proposals
w/b 21 December 1998 Award of contract
January 1999 Start of project
30 June 1999 Final report
Publication
It is likely that the report will be published as a Library and
Information Commission report. Proposers are invited to suggest
further means of dissemination of the findings of the project.
How to apply
Proposals should be submitted following the guidelines set out in our
Guide to the preparation of a research proposal. Copies of the Guide
are available from the BLRIC Support Unit and the BLRIC Web pages at:
http://www.bl.uk/services/ric/grant/guide.html
Proposers should contact the BLRIC Support Unit for an application
form
Proposals should be submitted by 30 November 1998; any received after
this date will not be considered
Two paper copies of the proposal, accompanied by the completed
application form should be sent to the address below
In addition, an electronic copy of the proposal should be submitted.
This can either be on an accompanying floppy disk, or to the email
address given below. The file should be in MS Word 6.0 format
Please send your proposal and completed application form to:
Review of Digital Library Research
Support Unit
Research and Innovation Centre
The British Library
2 Sheraton Street
London W1V 4BH
Tel: 0171 412 7051/7053
Fax: 0171 412 7251
Email: [log in to unmask]
Further information
Further information is available from:
Adrienne Muir
Research Analyst - Digital Libraries research programme
Tel. 0171 412 7109
Fax: 0171 412 7251
Email [log in to unmask]
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