The National Library of Wales offers a free enquiry answering service, and enquirers are welcome to contact us with their questions. We aim to reply to 90% of all enquiries received within 10 working days, but some complex enquiries, or those which are designated Freedom of Information enquiries, may take up to 20 working days to answer.

Photographic orders include a premium for commercial users. Reproduction may be subject to copyright clearance, and where appropriate, additional fees may be chargeable if the copies are to be reproduced in commercial publications.

 

 

Contacting the service

 

There are many ways of contacting the enquiries service:

 

• Complete our online enquiry form

• Telephone: +44 (0)1970 632933

• Fax +44 (0)1970 632551

• E-mail to holi@llgc.org.uk

• Writing to the Enquiries Service, Reader Services, The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. SY23 3BU

 

 

When submitting an enquiry to us, please indicate

 

• your name and full contact details

• all the relevant information gathered to date (e.g. what research has already been undertaken e.g. via your own public library or archives office)

• full names, dates and locations if submitting a genealogical or local history enquiry

 

 

Type of enquiries answered

 

We can answer enquiries which are based on the varied collections held at the Library, as well as basic genealogical enquiries, if sufficient details are provided. We are willing to:

 

• confirm the details of individuals from census returns, or search a reasonable proportion for returns for specific individuals or households. period for specific records

• confirm the details of individuals from parish or nonconformist registers, or search a reasonable span of years for a specific entry

• confirm details from the General Register Office index, or search a reasonable period for specific records

• search for the details of properties by searching tithe or estate maps

• confirm bibliographic details such as author, title, date and place of publication of books and articles

• search for newspaper articles if sufficient information is provided

• search for photographs or pictorial works of specific individuals or places

• provide details of specific manuscripts and archives

• provide copies of items from the Library's collections

 

Please note that the majority of our catalogues and databases may be searched online from the Library's website. A large number of items from our collections have also been digitised.

 

 

Requesting copies remotely

 

If you are unable to visit the Library, you may contact the Enquiries Service with

 

• full details of what is required

• the item's catalogue reference number

• your contact details

 

Once we have confirmed our holdings and considered any conservation and copyright issues, an order form will be sent to you to sign, date and return to the Enquiries Service with payment. The form may be faxed, posted or sent electronically. You may pay for your copies by cheque or directly into the Library's bank account, or by credit card. Should you wish to pay by card, please print the 'payment by credit card form', complete all details, remembering to note the order number which will be on the form, and return to the Enquiries Service with the order form. Please contact us if you need any advice or assistance.