Innovation & Creativity in Legislative Libraries

& Information Centres: The case of Parliament of Uganda

APLESA Nairobi April 2015

Presented by

Innocent RugambwaDirector, Library Services,

Parliament of Uganda

Outline

• Introduction

• Emerging Innovations & Creativity

• Conclusion

Introduction

• Role of Parliament to make Laws for peace, order, development & good governance.

•Need for objective, factual and timely information underpins the role of the Legislative Library.

Department Goal

·To Provide accurate & timely information & enhance Records Management Services to Members & Staff of Parliament

Library Usage

• Bona fide users: MPs & Staff• Requests submitted directly by

MPs, Committee Chairs or via staff or personal assistants.

• Proactive service via online (individual or group e-mails); or hard copy/printout

Paradox!

Parliamentary Library was established in 1999. Evident tremendous increase in:– volume of stock; & information

services; – size of budget; – Staffing;– Staff retooling & training

Remarkable decrease in usage by MPs??

What next?

• Innovations:Daily Media ReportsMonthly Media DigestWeekend Reflections on Family

IssuesUploading Docs/Info on MPs’ IpadsParliamentary Museum in offing

Daily Media Reports

–Alfresco Document Management System has enabled generation of the Daily Media Report: –News about & on Parliament is

captured from 4 major newspapers; reviewed and the summaries compiled for publishing through Alfesco –Accessed by MPs through their

iPads. Five issues of the Daily Media Reports are published per week.

Daily Media Reports

User Comments:– This is new, this is good…every time I have a

summary of the rumors being mongered about and around us, big TICK. Thanks, information is power. Kenneth Omona

– How I wish you had been kind enough to feed us early, since 1996 (post  1995 dispensation). Nevertheless, thank you very much for this new menu. 'Parliament in the eyes of the media' is, to me, a very important subject matter.Dr.RobertI am so excited with new development of the Daily Media reports please keep it up. Hon. Kiwanda

Daily Media Reports cont’d

User Comments:– Good idea!

Sometimes we actually do not get to read Parliament specific.Amuriat Oboi, MP

– I want to wholeheartedly appreciate the initiative by the library department on the media updates! One is now able to follow the happenings even when out of town! Hon. Ibi

Daily Media Reports cont’d

Reaction to User Comments:

–We thank you for your advice especially during the formative period of the Daily Media Report where we received all sorts of advice ranging from the design, the choice of words used and the style of reporting.

Monthly Media Digest

Following user requests, a monthly media digest has been rolled out

This is a compilation of daily media reports

Has enhanced reference to news on or about parliament

Family Issues: a weekend reflection

–A topical issue on the family is initiated & shared on-line (MPs & Staff) end of week.

–Deepened the understanding & appreciation of issues regarding family & multiplier effect on society

Family Issues: a weekend reflection cont’d

Reactions from Clients:

Good one!... thank you very much.  God have mercy on all who have chosen this sacred path. Harriet

Thank you very much for the wise counsel! Sorry I got it quite late. I would have taken time off to contemplate, assess and evaluate my marriage! Now 15 years! The mail was so nourishing! Thanks a great deal once again!Hon. MP

Very educative! I sincerely thank you for these articles,this story can relate to other relations as well. Be blessed. Juliet.

Family Issues: a weekend reflection cont’d

Benefits of new innovations

Touching base with clientsExpanding horizon of legislative

info serviceAttracting participation of

otherwise hard to reach clientsOpen forum for

intellectual/legislative discussionsBridging the gap between library &

MPs

Uploading info on MPs’ Ipads

• Alfresco:The Library is responsible for uploading info:– Bills, Acts, Motions, etc– Daily Order Paper–Ministerial Statements– Committee Reports

Uploading info on MPs’ Ipads cont’d

• Impact:Enhanced access to infoSaved costs (i.e. paper, cartridges,

time, etc.)Drastically reduced need for physical

visit to the library

Parliament Museum in offing

Concept Paper was presented to Board of Management (BOM)

BOM Sub-Committee produced a comprehensive report & submitted to Parliamentary Commission (PC) for approval

PC has approved the proposal & budget

Benchmarking studies to begin next FY

Our Values

• Accuracy• Reliability• Time keeping• Non-partisan• Teamwork• Self drive to accomplish tasks• Confidentiality

The Way Forward

• Establishment of a Parliamentary Museum

• Digitization of the Registry (Records Office)

• On-going digitization of the Library

• Cloud Computing (a private cloud has been created already)

Digitization Project

Currently in use is Zeutschel OS 12000 Scanner

Conclusion

• Understanding user needs is core to effective library service. Parliament, throughout the legislative process, requires comprehensive and reliable library and information services that are timely, objective and non-partisan to make informed decisions.

• Touching base with clients is crucial

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

Q & A