Project Background:

The Collection Care Section of the Collection Services Department, endeavour to preserve, conserve, protect and slow down the deterioration processes which impact on the Library’s collections. By completing Collection Care activities which include preservation actions, preventive conservation techniques, conservation treatments and collection support it is possible to limit deterioration processes and extend the lifespan of our collections.

Within the NLW archive is a large collection of building plans and engineering drawings, which are of historic importance. The collection has been stored over the years in inappropriate locations.  A volunteer project will have a beneficial impact on the collection making it less vulnerable to damage and more accessible. Preventive conservation techniques will be used and training provided by conservation staff.

For this particular project, we hope to appoint volunteers with particular skills and specialist and relevant knowledge that is not currently available amongst staff at the Library.

Location: Preventive Conservation Unit  

Main tasks: Identified collection care activities will include :-

• sorting archival media (plans, drawings, documents);
• flattening plans, drawings, documents;
• interpreting engineering drawing and plans;
• recording data;
• supporting paintings storage area improvements.

Requirements:

Essential

• the ability to work within a team;
• the ability to work independently;
• good communicator;
• architectural or engineering background;
• careful and methodical.

Advantageous

• the ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh and English;
• an interest in architectural history;
• interests in craft based activities;
• an interest in cultural heritage;
• IT skills.

Time and commitment: To be agreed.  Start date to be confirmed.

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Project Background:

The aim of the project is to collate a register of railway related material held within the National Collection of Welsh Photographs, making them more accessible to the general public. Despite the popularity of railways as a research topic a shortage of resources has prevented the Library from compiling a list of the photographs. A trained volunteer or volunteers working under supervision will enable easy access to this popular strand of research.

There are many photos of interest to railway historians and enthusiasts within this Collection. These include views of railway stations, rolling stock and employees. However these are scattered throughout the 4,800 or so albums that comprise the collection, though most are accessible via electronic records. However, a scheme to collect all such records in one, easy to access, database will be beneficial to the collection.

Location: National Collection of Welsh Photographs, Collections Services

Main tasks: Identified activities will include :-

• sorting photographs;
• searching databases for relevant material;
• interpreting photographs;
• recording data from different sources;
• noting conservation needs;
• collating records.

Requirements:

Essential

• ability to work within a team;
• good communicator;
• the ability to work independently;
• heritage background;
• careful and methodical.

Desirable

• the ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh and English;
• an interest in railway history;
• an interest in photographic heritage;
• IT skills;
• the ability to research relevant material;
• understanding of copyright law.

Time and commitment: To be agreed.  Start date to be confirmed.

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Project Background:

The National Library holds a wide range of events, in the Library building itself in Aberystwyth and in festivals and various other activities outside the building. These events – which include a wide range of lectures, concerts, talks and film screenings in the Library, as well as major festivals in Wales and beyond – are a vital component of the work of the Public Services Department.

Volunteering for this type of activity provides an excellent opportunity to work with an experienced team of organisers and promoters and to interact with the public.

Location: in Aberystwyth and other locations

Main tasks: To welcome and be available to assist the public and to help with certain practical matters.

Requirements:

Essential

• Reliability
• A keen interest in the Library’s work and mission;
• Good knowledge of Wales, its people and its history;
• The ability and the confidence to deal with people from diverse backgrounds, and with various needs;
• The ability to communicate in English and Welsh.

Time and commitment: According to the availability of the individual. This may involve working evenings and weekends.