NLW Annual Review of 2009-10

Two million pounds to digitise 19th century Welsh newspapers and magazines; reopening a refurbished North Reading room; two months of events outside Aberystwyth – these are some of the highlights outlined in the National Library of Wales’s Annual Review of 2009-10 which can be read online.

The year was certainly an important one in the National Library’s continual effort to improve its services to readers and visitors and develop the way it collects, stores and shares its treasures.

The grant of £2m by the Welsh Assembly Government to digitise 19th century Welsh newspapers and magazines was one of the most exciting plans in the Library’s recent history and one of the most ambitious digitisation projects ever undertaken in Wales. The opening of the North Reading Room by the Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones in September 2009 showed the new way of thinking the Library has adopted in reacting to the needs of readers, with the new design and facilities helping to make working at the National Library a pleasurable and fruitful undertaking. For the first time ever the Library extended its annual ‘outreach meeting’ from two days to two months. A range of events, including an exhibition, schools projects, film production and film screening, family history evening and local club and society meetings, were organised in the Gwendraeth Valley from September to November 2009 and proved a great success.

Among other facts about what was an interesting year, the National Library received almost 8,000 enquiries, 80,000 visitors, 397 organised group visits, and over a million remote network users.

The Librarian of The National Library of Wales, Andrew Green, is very proud of the Library’s ability to adapt to the changing nature of society and the way people across Wales and the world wish to make use of the Library’s facilities and collections.

‘Even in the uncertain times in which we live the National Library remains an important part of the life of the people of Wales. I hope that this review of 2009-10 demonstrates clearly that we are still trying to find new ways of achieving our unchanging mission,’ he said.
The Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, said;

‘The National Library is one of Wales’ most important cultural and educational institutions and is recognised as a research centre of international importance. This report shows they are continuing to develop and finding new ways to deliver services and the number of visitors to the library both in person and online have been very encouraging.’

For more information and images:
Siôn Jobbins, NLW Press Office: 01970 63290  post@llgc.org.uk

Searchable Riches: Review of the year 2009-10