Recent Acquisitions

28 February 2009 - 27 March 2009

Here we have an opportunity to see some of the items recently added to the National Library’s non-print collections.


Included in the exhibition are:

works by artists such as Richard Wilson (1713-82), Paul Sandby (1731-1809), Peter Edwards (1955-), Kyffin Williams (1918-2006)photographs of Joe Calzaghe (1972-), letters from Richard Burton (1925-84) to his school friend Dennis Burgess (1926-80), a manuscript by Helen Thomas (1877-1967), wife of the poet Edward Thomas (1878-1917) papers from the Winifred Coombe Tennant (‘Mam o Nedd’, 1874-1956) collection

They are but a selection of the items acquired by purchase or donation, in order to enrich and enhance the collection in accordance with the Library's Collection Development Policy. Here is a brief summary of the present policy:

The Library collects with a view to the access needs of present and future users with the aim of building a collection of national importance. Whereas the Library aims at being comprehensive in its collections, it cannot collect everything - it has to be selective. Collections of a purely local interest are directed to appropriate local libraries, archives and museums. The Library acquires collections in many different formats but seeks to avoid acquiring 3D artefacts, except for portrait busts and other exceptional items.

By acquiring through purchase or donation, the Library seeks to reflect, as objectively as possible, all aspects of Wales’ past and present, without representing any particular historical, sectarian or other viewpoint. The acquisition process is subject to a number of factors, including the funding available in the collections purchase grant, and preservation, storage and cataloguing implications.

The Library receives an annual purchase grant from the Welsh Assembly Government, and it continues to enjoy the support of benefactors, to enrich its collections through donations and bequests.

For further information contact Dr Paul Joyner, Head of Purchasing and Donations Unit on +44 (0) 1970 632 823, or paul.joyner@llgc.org.uk