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| Libraries Wales | |
|---|---|
| Name | Libraries Wales |
| Native name | Llyfrgelloedd Cymru |
| Formation | 1990s |
| Headquarters | Cardiff |
| Region served | Wales |
| Leader title | Chief Executive |
Libraries Wales is the national network of public and specialist libraries serving Wales, integrating local authority services, cultural heritage institutions, and digital platforms. The organisation supports library branches, mobile libraries, archive access points, and specialist centres that conserve Welsh language resources, literary collections, and historical records. It collaborates with national bodies, higher education institutions, and cultural charities to provide access to information, heritage, and community learning.
The modern structure developed from post-war public library reforms that referenced reforms such as the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 and later policy initiatives by the Welsh Office and Welsh Government. Early influences included the Victorian network expansion tied to philanthropists like Andrew Carnegie, municipal investments in cities such as Cardiff and Swansea, and the establishment of county-based services in Gwynedd, Powys, and Dyfed. The 1990s and 2000s saw devolution-era adjustments influenced by reports from bodies including The National Library of Wales and recommendations citing the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. Digitisation projects were accelerated following frameworks promoted by the Heritage Lottery Fund and strategies from Cadw and collaborative projects with universities such as Aberystwyth University and Cardiff University.
Governance typically sits with local authorities such as Conwy County Borough Council, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, coordinated through regional consortia and national advisory units. Strategic oversight draws on partnerships with the Welsh Government culture division, consultative input from bodies like CyMAL (Museums Archives and Libraries Wales), and standards promulgated by institutions such as the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). Accountability mechanisms align with statutory duties referenced by legislation including the Local Government Act 1972 and policy instruments shaped by reports from commissions such as the Sainsbury Review and cultural strategies authored by organisations like Arts Council of Wales.
Collections span general lending stock, specialist Welsh language materials, local studies, and archival holdings. Branches hold fiction, non-fiction, children's stock and local history collections complemented by special collections from figures like Dylan Thomas and holdings linked to events such as the Tryweryn reservoir controversy. Services include inter-library loan networks connected to university libraries like Bangor University and Swansea University, reference services influenced by standards from the British Library, and specialist support for researchers using catalogues aligned with the Digital Preservation Coalition. Many libraries host exhibitions featuring items related to personalities such as Owain Glyndŵr, Lloyd George, and literary works including the writings of R. S. Thomas.
Digital provision is central: online catalogues, digitised local newspapers, and digital repositories developed in collaboration with the National Library of Wales and platforms modelled on projects like Europeana. Initiatives include digitisation of Welsh language manuscripts, oral history archives linked to the People’s Collection Wales, and online access to maps and photographs sourced from partnerships with local record offices such as Gwent Archives and Flintshire Record Office. Digital preservation and metadata practices reference standards from ISO frameworks and consortia including the Digital Preservation Coalition and federated search efforts with academic partners such as University of South Wales.
Libraries run literacy and lifelong learning programmes aligned with curricula from the Welsh Government and projects supported by charities like Play Wales and BookTrust. Activities include Welsh language classes promoted alongside organisations such as Welsh Language Commissioner, school visits coordinated with regional education consortia, and community events celebrating festivals including Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru and local cultural days. Programmes partner with health and social care agencies such as Public Health Wales for wellbeing initiatives, and work with arts organisations including Literature Wales to host author events featuring writers connected to Hay Festival.
Funding sources include local authority budgets, grants from national funders such as the Heritage Lottery Fund, project grants from Arts Council of Wales, and collaborative funding with higher education institutions including Cardiff Metropolitan University. Partnerships extend to museums and archives—National Museum Cardiff, Amgueddfa Cymru—and non-profits such as Libraries Connected and the Society of Chief Librarians. Commercial collaborations occasionally involve technology providers and publishers including initiatives referencing procurement standards from bodies like the Crown Commercial Service.
Prominent sites include flagship public libraries in Cardiff Central Library, the historic municipal library in Swansea, regional hubs such as Wrexham Library, and heritage buildings housing collections like the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. Other architecturally significant buildings include town libraries in Llanelli and Brecon, mobile library services serving rural areas of Ceredigion and Monmouthshire, and specialist centres preserving industrial heritage in former mining communities across Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Category:Libraries in Wales