The practicality of the Swaziland Union Catalogue: A retrospective study

While the Library profession in Swaziland seeks to optimise access to information through the production and distribution of hard copies of issues of the Swaziland Union Catalogue (SUNICAT), the initiative has remained an idea for the last two decades. The objectives of this study are: (1) to carry out a preliminary assessment of the extent of library resource limitations and an affirmation of the need for resource-sharing in Swaziland; (2) to evaluate the feasibility of producing the SUNICAT as a means to resource-sharing; and (3) to identify other options available for long-term optimal resource-sharing and utilisation for libraries in Swaziland. Since the mooting of the idea in the 1980s, clear guidelines based on user needs have not been sufficiently documented and adopted by all stake holders. In addition, the financial and human resources needed to sustain the quarterly production of the SUNICAT is not available at this stage. The conclusion is that the project is not feasible and that for the foreseeable future, the thrust should be on maximum exploitation of existing national interlibrary loan facilities, enhanced participation in the Southern African Interlending Scheme (SAILS), user surveys and education, increased investments in basic library infrastructure and human resources training and development.