This case study discusses the approaches used by the agricultural research system of Swaziland to obtain and manage scientific information. Information access is reviewed in relation to the demand for information by the research system, the sources of information that it has access to, and the mechanisms used to actually obtain and manage the information. One thing that has a significant influence on the demand for information is the existence of two main types of agricultural production systems, which rather neatly divides the agencies conducting agricultural research Into two main groups. Channels for gaining access to Information are similarly divided - the private sector relies on its own personal and commercial sources, while the public sector is linked more closely to formal information mechanisms such as libraries and research networks. One significant conclusion of the paper relates to the various roles and functions that information mechanisms have. Often the different mechanisms compete to deliver the same information, and an information system based on several mechanisms, each delivering different information, is advocated. In this case, libraries need to assess the information available through research networks and other mechanisms, and then deliver the information that these other mechanisms cannot provide. Access to locally produced information is an area where libraries might have a comparative advantage. Other significant factors that are discussed include the regional context for information services, participation in information networks, collaboration at the national level, the role of agricultural development projects, and the need for trained information personnel.