21st century digital services21st century digital servicesfor parliamentariansfor parliamentarians

Paul Cannon

Information Assistant, SPICe

11 June 2009

SPICeSPICeScottish Parliament Information CentreScottish Parliament Information Centre

Who are we? What do we do? Who do we do it for?

Who are we?Who are we?

Over 50 people, recruited as specialists:

Half are research subject experts

Half are information specialists …and office management

What does SPICe do?What does SPICe do?

Facts, analysis, briefings Research Impartial expertise News and current affairs

Information strategyInformation strategy

Need well-informed citizens to contribute to the democratic process

Need well-informed MSPs to help govern Scotland

Who for?Who for?

MSPs and their staff Parliament committees Parliament staff The public - indirectly

SPICe servicesSPICe services

We provide an internal service to:

The Scottish Parliament

Corporate Body Senior management All Parliamentary offices

How?How?

Confidential enquiry service for MSPs

Longer briefings – on bills, hot topics

Work for committees On-line services Making parliament information

available to the public (website, partner libraries)

Material for DebatesMaterial for Debates

SPICe InsightSPICe Insight

PodcastsPodcasts

Access to the e-environmentAccess to the e-environment

Some of the challenges we face:

Complex inquiries …with short deadlines Keeping publications up-to-date …and information current Technology Training and inductions for staff Awareness of services and products