Brief History

At the dissolution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in 1963, the Federal Assembly Library was divided and the documents on Northern Rhodesia and the Legislative Council were organized and made available for research purposes into what formed the base of today’s Parliamentary Information and Research Library. After Independence, the role of Parliament in the newly independent Zambia became very clear and much more significant as development programmes needed new laws to be passed. In turn those charged with the responsibility of enacting these laws needed to be armed with the necessary information, hence the formation of the Library, which is the main source of information for Members.

Latest technologies and professionally trained staff are employed to carry out tasks aimed at achieving the mission statement. The current Parliamentary Library which is located on the western part of the main building was opened in 1991. The building with its vast storage space has:

• Reading cubicles and work areas for users that require some privacy and a quiet place to do their research or work.
• Meeting areas (Chairs and tables).
• An Internet Café; and
• An ICT training room.

Functions of the Library Department

The Library operates in close consultation on policy matters with the Committee on Privileges, Absences and Support Services. Its main functions are:

1. To provide up to date information to Members of Parliament and staff in a timely, accurate and professional manner.
2. To select, collect, analyze, index and facilitate access to different sources of information such as books, periodicals, reports, Government publications and Newspapers.
3. To market information resources and services to Members and staff.
4. To facilitate access to electronically stored information by Members and staff through the creation and use of databases, and internet services.
5. To digitize Parliamentary papers
6. To facilitate access to E-resources

Access and Loan Policy

The Library gives priority of its use to Members of Parliament and National Assembly Staff. Persons from outside, such as senior government officials, college and university students may use the Library with special permission from the Speaker through the Office of Clerk. Researchers have to apply to request for permission in writing, and when authority is granted, they are given a time frame within which they can access the Library. The issuing and returning of books is done at the Library. Members of Parliament are allowed to borrow up to four (4) books for four (4) weeks, while members of staff can borrow two (2) books for a period of two (2) weeks. At the end of each loan tenure, all books must be returned to the Library.

Local and Regional Co-operation

At local level, the Library is an active member of the Library and Information Association of Zambia (LIAZ) and Zambia Library Consortium (ZALICO) from which a number of collaborative activities and anything of common interest such as continuous professional development and resource sharing are undertaken. At regional level, the Library is a member of the Association of Parliamentary Libraries in Eastern and Southern Africa (APLESA), which was constituted in 1995. Other members include the Parliaments of Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The Association facilitates, among other things, the exchange of best practices librarians in the region.

Library Opening hours

When the House is on recess, the Library is open from 08:00 hours to 17:00 hours every day except for holidays and weekends. When Parliament is in Session, the Library stays open until thirty minutes after the House adjourns if the adjournment is made at or after 17:00 hours while on Mondays and Fridays the library closes at 1600 hours. Members of parliament who want to use the Library over the weekend can make prior arrangements with the Director (Library Services).