The National Library of Wales
Library – Access all Areas
Thu, 29 Mar 07 14:26:00
On 29 March the First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, will launch The National Library of Wales’s new-look interactive website www.llgc.org.uk .
With 1675 indexed pages, which includes 33,200 words and 233,198
records in the relation table the website is both easier to use and better to look at than ever before.
The new-look website, interfaces with the recently implemented new information management system (Virtua) which was developed by VTLS in Virgina, USA and funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. This offers new exciting ways of accessing Wales’s most important library and archive collections and is part of the Library’s aim to transform itself into a 21st century digital library. It is now possible to make one search for books, maps, graphical materials and electronic resources and this will soon be extended to include archive collections, television and radio programmes and films -making it a fully integrated system.
The website has been totally redesigned in terms of look and feel, content and structure. Substantial research was undertaken not only into users’ requirements but also into website design in order to ensure that our new website is in line with current trends and also as clear and easy to use as possible.
Visitors to the website can view online some of Wales’s iconic collections – the Black Book of Carmarthen, Laws of Hywel Dda, the notorious 1847 ‘Blue Books’ report into Education in Wales as well as being able to see old maps of Wales, photographs and online exhibitions.
‘With between 800,000 and a 1,000 000 hits a month and 30,000 unique users a month, the National Library’s website is one of the most popular sites from Wales. Our investment in updating and streamlining the search facility of the website as well as its look will appeal to more researchers and users than ever before,’ said Librarian, Andrew Green.
The First Minister, Rhodri Morgan said: ‘I am extremely impressed with The National Library of Wales’s new-look website. It will enable individuals to gain access to all kinds of material that would otherwise be impossible to view without travelling to Aberystwyth.
The Assembly Government has committed £1 million to the project, reflecting the importance we attach to establishing the Library as a world-renowned centre of research and interactive learning. I have no doubt that the website will prove to be a great success.’
Launch of new NLW website:
3.15pm Thursday
29 March 2007
The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
NLW Website:
For More Information And Images:
Siôn Jobbins, NLW Press Office: 01970 632 902 sij@llgc.org.uk
