Organization and reference services of the parliament libraries of the UK and Spain

Abstract

The British House of Commons Library with its long past history and its special institutional way of development is one of the highest level examples of MPs" information services. Apart from traditional library and information services, HCL helps legislation and inspection of executive authority of the House of Commons with researchers specialized in various subject fields and with their expioration and analysis work. The library of the House of Lords is a smaller but a very special and rich legal collection.
The information service of MPs in Spain today has developed from a library of the Congress and of the Senate with a small staff durrng the time of dictatorship in the country. The library as a part of the parliament offices form directorates comprising archives, documentation services and small research staffs. Printed and electronic information matehals available now have been developed during the last 10-15 years. The collectional, technical and service results of the extensive development are very substantial, which are supported by the high level of education, work effectiveness and appreciation of staff.