Rural Community Resource Centres
A Guide for Developing Countries
Contributors: Shirley Giggey
Publication date: 1 January 1988
Size:
210mm x 148mm
ISBN: 978-0-85092-640-8
Pages: 128
The Commonwealth Secretariat has found that there is a need throughout the developing world for a book describing the setting up and operation of rural learning resource centres. On behalf of the Secretariat, and using her own practical experience, Shirley Giggey has drawn up this comprehensive training guide.
She first provides a complete description of the best method for setting up a rural resource centre, right from the initial idea and planning (taking local circumstances into account), through to financial and staffing arrangements. She covers suitable designs for the buildings to be used and their interior layout, with much detailed advice.
The practical, day-to-day running of the centre is dealt with clearly, simply and thoroughly. The need for methodical arrangements in acquiring and storing materials, and how (and even whether!) to lend them out are covered at length. Duplicating and other services are examined. Such matters as keeping of accounts, keeping records of the centre's activities, filing, stock-taking, insurance, maintenance and repair are amply explained. Samples of form letters and accounts pages are included. There is a list of organisations that provide useful materials.
The main business of the centre – the gathering and selecting of materials and making them available – is given pride of place, but the many other possible services that can be offered are suggested and described. The effective use of resources is the aim throughout, an a fund-raising is shown to have a continuing importance. Suggestions are given on all relevant topics.
This guide offers workable, solid, thorough advice and information for anyone in the developing countries who is either working in this field already or who wishes to do so.
It is written for anyone living in or working with rural communities (community leaders, teachers, extension workers, women's group leaders, youth group leaders, etc.) and who feel their community could benefit from having informational and learning resources. It is written as clearly and simply as possible and uses examples from various parts of the world. There are ample illustrations and checklists.
She first provides a complete description of the best method for setting up a rural resource centre, right from the initial idea and planning (taking local circumstances into account), through to financial and staffing arrangements. She covers suitable designs for the buildings to be used and their interior layout, with much detailed advice.
The practical, day-to-day running of the centre is dealt with clearly, simply and thoroughly. The need for methodical arrangements in acquiring and storing materials, and how (and even whether!) to lend them out are covered at length. Duplicating and other services are examined. Such matters as keeping of accounts, keeping records of the centre's activities, filing, stock-taking, insurance, maintenance and repair are amply explained. Samples of form letters and accounts pages are included. There is a list of organisations that provide useful materials.
The main business of the centre – the gathering and selecting of materials and making them available – is given pride of place, but the many other possible services that can be offered are suggested and described. The effective use of resources is the aim throughout, an a fund-raising is shown to have a continuing importance. Suggestions are given on all relevant topics.
This guide offers workable, solid, thorough advice and information for anyone in the developing countries who is either working in this field already or who wishes to do so.
It is written for anyone living in or working with rural communities (community leaders, teachers, extension workers, women's group leaders, youth group leaders, etc.) and who feel their community could benefit from having informational and learning resources. It is written as clearly and simply as possible and uses examples from various parts of the world. There are ample illustrations and checklists.
Contents
Preface
Introduction
Part 1. Setting up a Centre: Promoting, Planning, Organising and Supervising Tasks
Promoting the Idea
Setting up a Planning Group or Committee
Determining Community Needs
Community Profile
Setting Objectives
The Budget
Fund-raising
Setting up a Bank Account
Auditing
Choosing the Staff
A Building for the Centre
Monitoring and Evaluation
Part 2. Operating a Centre: The Day-to-Day Tasks
The Basic Tasks
Consulting about Informational and Learning Resources
Sources of Materials
Selecting Materials
Ordering, Receiving, and Checking
Paying
Information-sharing Activities
Co-ordinating Activities with Extension Workers
Producing Materials
Recording Stories and Skills
Duplicating Methods and Supplies
Organising and Recording the Materials
Other Possible Services
Promotional Activities
Continuing Fund-raising Activities
General Tasks (Keeping Accounts; Lending Procedures; Keeping Statistics; Keeping a Record of What is Borrowed; Keeping a Record of Visitors; Stock-taking; Insurance; Reviewing the Materials; Writing Reports; General Maintenance and Repair of the Centre and the Materials)
Part 3. Extra Information
1. A Sample Constitution
2. Duties and Qualities of Committee Leaders
3. A Sample Workplan
4. What to Write when Applying for Funds
5. A Sample Fund-raising Record
6. Types of Accounts
7. Organisations that Provide Useful Materials
8. Sample Form Letter Requesting Publications List
9. Sample Form Letter for an Order
10. Subjects
11. A Simple Method of Keeping a Record of Materials
12. Simple Filing Rules
13. Sample Receipt for Money Received
14. Sample Accounts Pages
15. Keeping a Record of What is Borrowed
16. How to do the Stock-taking
17. List of Basic Equipment and Supplies
18. Definitions of Words
Introduction
Part 1. Setting up a Centre: Promoting, Planning, Organising and Supervising Tasks
Promoting the Idea
Setting up a Planning Group or Committee
Determining Community Needs
Community Profile
Setting Objectives
The Budget
Fund-raising
Setting up a Bank Account
Auditing
Choosing the Staff
A Building for the Centre
Monitoring and Evaluation
Part 2. Operating a Centre: The Day-to-Day Tasks
The Basic Tasks
Consulting about Informational and Learning Resources
Sources of Materials
Selecting Materials
Ordering, Receiving, and Checking
Paying
Information-sharing Activities
Co-ordinating Activities with Extension Workers
Producing Materials
Recording Stories and Skills
Duplicating Methods and Supplies
Organising and Recording the Materials
Other Possible Services
Promotional Activities
Continuing Fund-raising Activities
General Tasks (Keeping Accounts; Lending Procedures; Keeping Statistics; Keeping a Record of What is Borrowed; Keeping a Record of Visitors; Stock-taking; Insurance; Reviewing the Materials; Writing Reports; General Maintenance and Repair of the Centre and the Materials)
Part 3. Extra Information
1. A Sample Constitution
2. Duties and Qualities of Committee Leaders
3. A Sample Workplan
4. What to Write when Applying for Funds
5. A Sample Fund-raising Record
6. Types of Accounts
7. Organisations that Provide Useful Materials
8. Sample Form Letter Requesting Publications List
9. Sample Form Letter for an Order
10. Subjects
11. A Simple Method of Keeping a Record of Materials
12. Simple Filing Rules
13. Sample Receipt for Money Received
14. Sample Accounts Pages
15. Keeping a Record of What is Borrowed
16. How to do the Stock-taking
17. List of Basic Equipment and Supplies
18. Definitions of Words
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