SWWHEP Library Services

The library services of Swansea University, Swansea Metropolitan University and University of Wales Trinity St David are collaborating to create a unique Virtual Academic Library.  This is funded by the HEFCW Reconfiguration and Collaboration Fund which is also supporting a further twelve projects across the three institutions ranging from collaboration on e-learning to the integration of student records.

The Virtual Academic Library is a three-year project with a budget of over £1 million.  It will aim at a holistic approach to library services for all 17,000 higher education students and 1200 academic staff in South West Wales based on shared resources and access.

The project will deliver

• Reciprocal borrowing for all staff and students
• Physical and electronic document delivery between the three institutions
• Shared access to library catalogues and if feasible e-resources
• Implementation of RFID technology in all three library services
• Shared storage of low use research material
• An exploration of opportunities for the single management of services between Swansea University and Swansea Metropolitan University
• A co-ordinated approach to staff development
• Shared implementation of new services and process development

The synergies between the Virtual Academic Library and libraries in other sectors in the region in the new CYMAL funded South West Wales Library Partnership will also be developed.