National Library announces new 3-year strategy

Tue, 30 Sep 08 15:08:00

 

The National Library of Wales will claim its place alongside some of the great libraries of the world with the unveiling of a new three-year strategy Shaping the Future this week. The new strategy will be officially launched by Welsh Assembly Government Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, this Wednesday at The Senedd.

 

As part of its aim to increase access, staff will be embarking on a ten-year digitisation project aimed at placing as much of the Library’s collection online as possible, for everyone to explore and enjoy, wherever they are in the world.

The material will be available for a wide range of purposes, whether as an aid to the education sector at all levels or as a point of reference for someone who wants to know more about their family history.  

 
Commenting on the Library’s ambition for the future, its President The Rt Hon Dafydd Wigley said:

 

‘We want to be a window into Wales, publicising the Wales of the past, the present and, as new material is added, the Wales of the future. This will help to boost the economy of Wales, encourage people to visit and/or use its services and also help it to become a top-league cultural and intellectual player. The project will show that Wales is achieving its aim of being a knowledge economy and is at the forefront of modern technology, developing skills and expertise to be envied by others. Digitisation will also challenge people to re-evaluate their perception of Wales. It will serve as a reminder to those that live here, that Wales is more than just an area of land, and to the Welsh Diaspora, that being Welsh doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to live in the country’.

 

Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones said:

 

‘I am very encouraged to see the National Library fully embracing the challenges and opportunities presented by developments in electronic media. This strategy will ensure that resources produced electronically will take their place alongside books, manuscripts and photographs in the Library’s collections. It also builds on what has already been achieved to open up the vast and fascinating resources of this great national institution to new audiences both at home and abroad, free of charge via the Internet.’

 

For further information

Sara Branch, Strategy and Research Manager

01970 632 839  sara.branch@llgc.org.uk