Community Action Research Consulting Services

Multnomah County Library is seeking consulting services through a Request for Intermediate Proposals (RIP) to guide a two-year capacity building initiative focused on transforming the library's engagement with Black families during the critical kindergarten transition period. The consulting services will involve conducting Community Action Research with both African and African American populations to understand kindergarten readiness and transition experiences. The primary objectives include building capacity for the Black Cultural Library Advocates (BCLA) team, developing culturally responsive practices, and creating a systematic approach to engaging Black communities in program development. The consultant will be responsible for collaborative research, capacity building, community engagement, and developing recommendations for organizational change across the library's 19 locations, with specific focus on improving outreach services, storytimes, programs, literacy curricula, book collections, and children's spaces. The solicitation was issued on 12/7/2018, with proposals due by 1/16/2019, and includes two optional pre-proposal teleconferences. The contract term is set for 2 years, with approximately 82% of consulting services to be provided in the first year.

The procurement appears to have specific funding allocations, with 30% designated for African communities and 70% for African American communities. The Library District has budgeted approximately $105,500 for the consulting services, with funding coming from grants from the Library Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, and Collins Foundation. While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types are explicitly mentioned, the nature of the project suggests a preference for consultants with deep expertise in community research, cultural responsiveness, and library services for Black families. The project emphasizes collaborative and community-centered approaches, indicating that proposers should have strong qualifications in community engagement, research methodologies, and organizational development. The consulting services will require a comprehensive understanding of the unique experiences and needs of Black families during the kindergarten transition, with an emphasis on developing culturally sensitive and responsive strategies for library services.