National Library Goes To Wrexham

Wed, 22 Sep 10 16:54:00

The National Library of Wales will leave its Aberystwyth home and go to Wrexham this autumn! Residents in the Wrexham area will have a host of events to enjoy: a family and local history day; screening of Paul Robeson’s famous film, Proud Valley; a chance bring their own archives to be scanned and put online for the www.peoplescollectionwales.co.uk and also workshops for school children and an exhibition of old photographs of Wrexham.

 

Although the Library has held annual one-day events outside Aberystwyth in the past, this year it’s building on its new strategy of organising a series of events over 2 months. Last year it was the old coal-mining valley of Cwm Gwendraeth near Llanelli which became the Library’s ‘home from home’; this year Wrexham has been selected by the National Library to hold its 2month long Outreach Event this Autumn.

 

As part of its remit to make people from all walks of life aware of the Library’s collections and works, staff have cooperated with local authorities in the town.

The Library is grateful for the willing cooperation of Wrexham Borough County Council on this interesting series of events.

 

The Librarian of the National Library, Andrew Green, is looking forward to the events held at Wrexham.

 

‘The National Library of Wales is the Library for all people in Wales and it’s very important and exciting for us to travel out of Aberystwyth and go to every part of Wales. This year Wrexham, a town which has been so important in Welsh history, is our home for over two months – we’re looking forward to meeting the people of Wrexham.’

 

Events

7 October – Film: Proud Valley at the Odeon Cinema, 19:30

 

12 October – What is the National Library? Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, 19:00

 

2 November – What’s in your Attic? Show us archives and tell us your story for the new www.peoplescollectionwales.co.uk website. Llay, 10:00  16:00

 

11 November – Open Night with NLW President, Dafydd Wigley. An evening of talks and presentations. Wrexham Guildhall, 18:30

 

11 November – Exhibition Opening of Old Photographs of Wrexham, (following the Open Night). Wrexham Library, 20:00

 

13 November – Family and Local History Open Day. Yale College, 10:00 – 15:00

 

 

 

Further Information

For more information of the events, visit www.llgc.org.uk/wrecsam10 or contact Siôn Jobbins at NLW’s Press Office: 01970 632 902  post@llgc.org.uk

 

 

 

Notes to the Editor

The National Library of Wales celebrated its centenary in 2007

The Library’s collections include:

• 5,000,000 books and printed material
• 1,500,000 maps
• 800,000 photographs
• 150,000 hours of sound recordings
• 250,000 hours of moving images
• 25,000 rare manuscripts
• 50,000 artistic treasures