Ready for the Next Century!

Mon, 18 Jun 07 13:07:00

Mid-way through its centenary celebrations The National Library of Wales is asking the Welsh public how they would like to see the Library develop over the next 100 years.

The National Library of Wales was founded in March 1907. Its remit is to make recorded knowledge, especially about Wales, available to researchers and learners of all kinds. Over the first 100 years the Library has seen many changes as well as an increase in its collections and the number of people using the facilities in Aberystwyth. However, the biggest change has been the impact of the internet, which has opened whole new audiences which barely existed even 10 years ago.

The National Library is interested to hear people’s views on the future of the Library as part of this strategy review. How can its potential be unlocked?   How should the building be developed? What should the Library collect? How can it reach new audiences? How should it respond to the ‘new internet’?

The Librarian, Andrew Green, is very aware of the changing responsibilities of the Library.

‘I think its fair to say that the Library, like all libraries, has changed more in the last 10 years than the preceding 90. We are now much more aware of our responsibility to the whole of society, which is itself more diverse than ever. The advent of the internet now means that our users in America or Australia are as important to us as those in Aberystwyth and Wales. We look forward to hearing how our Welsh and worldwide audience would like to see the Library develop.’

The Library is keen to receive reactions to its consultation leaflet, Shaping the Future, by individuals, groups and societies.

Suggestions should be sent to:

The Strategy Review Team,
The National Library of Wales,
Aberystwyth,
SY23 3BU

email to nlw-strategy@llgc.org.uk.

A copy of the leaflet and further information may be obtained from the Library’s website Strategy Review pages

For More Information:

Siôn Jobbins, NLW Press Office: 01970 632 902  sij@llgc.org.uk