Contact Details

The National Library of Wales
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
Wales
SY23 3BU
Phone:  01970 632800
Fax: 01970 615 709
Email: holi@llgc.org.uk
Website: http://www.llgc.org.uk

Finding us

Travelling from the North
On the A487 from Machynlleth, come down Penglais Hill passing the Arts Centre and the new University campus on your left. The National Library of Wales is on the left hand side immediately after Pantycelyn Hall of Residence. The Library is at the end of a 400 metre drive, overlooking Aberystwyth.
 
Travelling from Mid Wales
Along the A44 from Llangurig you will come to a set of traffic lights in Llanbadarn Fawr. Bear left at the lights and then, almost immediately, turn right towards Aberystwyth along the residential road, Llanbadarn Rd, passing Plascrug Leisure Centre on your left. At the end of Llanbadarn Rd at the junction with the Cwps Public House, turn right up Penglais Hill. After passing the entrance to Bronglais Hospital, turn right at the post box. The Library is at the end of a 400 metre drive overlooking Aberystwyth.

Travelling from the South
 Along the A487 from Aberaeron you will come to a roundabout in Penparcau. Turn right to come down Pen y Bont Hill. At the bottom of the hill you will approach another roundabout next to the retail developments at Parc y Llyn. Take the fourth turning off, signposted Llanbadarn Fawr. Before entering the village of Llanbadarn Fawr, turn left along Llanbadarn Rd, passing Plascrug Leisure Centre on your left. At the end of Llanbadarn Rd at the junction with the Cwps Public House, turn right up Penglais Hill. After passing the entrance to Bronglais Hospital, turn right at the post box. The Library is at the end of a 400 metre drive overlooking Aberystwyth.
 
Parking
Visitors are asked to park at the side car park of the Library. Coach parties should contact the Library before hand.

By Bus/Train
Aberystwyth train station is located in the centre of the town, a fifteen-minute walk to the Library or a short journey by taxi (located outside). Train services to Aberystwyth arrive from Shrewsbury every two hours.

The Bus Station is located next to the train station. There are various local connections and connections to Birmingham and London. Visitors wishing to travel from Cardiff in south Wales or Bangor in the north should catch the Traws Cambria service which arrives at Aberystwyth daily.

Find us on a Google Map

Records Held

The National Library of Wales holds archives of landed estates, chapels, national institutions, politicians, political parties and pressure groups, authors, the Church in Wales, the Court of Great Sessions in Wales, the University of Wales, the central records of the Presbyterian Church of Wales, historical and literary manuscripts, manuscript and published maps, the National  Photographic Collection and the National Screen and Sound Archives of Wales.

Opening Times

Reading Rooms and Entrance Hall exhibition area:
9:30 - 6:00 Monday - Friday
9:30 - 5:00 Saturday until March 2009
The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales Collection Viewing Room:
Monday-Friday 10.00am-5.00pm, Saturday Closed

Accessibility

Visitors with mobility difficulties can enter the Library building through the entrance located on the ground floor level, at the front of the building. A ramp and automatic doors allow easy access into the building.   There is wheelchair access to most public areas.

Facilities

Food: Pen Dinas, the Library's restaurant is located on the ground floor of the Library. It is open 9:30 - 4:45pm  Monday - Saturday until the end of March 2009 when it will no longer be open on Saturdays.
Toilets: There are 3 access-friendly toilets situated around the Library:
Ground floor straight ahead from the shop and turn right at the end of the corridor
Ground floor behind the staircase leading up from the Peniarth Exhibition
Floor 0 (main floor, above ground floor entrance) at the top of the staircase leading up from the Peniarth Exhibition
Shop:  The Library's shop offers a wide range of gifts, cards and books, many inspired by the Library's collections.  Items can also be purchased online.

Appointments

There is no need to make appointments but readers are encouraged to order items on-line before their arrival.

Readers' Tickets

If you wish to gain access to the Reading Rooms to consult the Library's collections, you must have a valid reader's ticket.   Each ticket is issued subject to the regulations currently in force and is valid for all of the Library's Reading Rooms.  To obtain a reader's ticket you must bring with you 2 proofs of identity, one of them showing your current address.  You can also register for a reader's ticket online.  Registering online also enables you to register for access to the electronic resources available through Athens.

Lockers

Bags and coats can be left in the lockers on the ground floor or the first floor. A £1 coin is required as a deposit.

Copying and use of cameras

The National Library of Wales offers a wide range of copying services and is happy to supply copies of material both from its collections and of personal material which belongs to Library users. Some material from the Library collections may not be reproduced owing to copyright or conditional restrictions.
Copies supplied by the Library must not be reproduced without obtaining, in writing, the relevant permission from the Library

Registered readers may apply to use a personal camera in the Reading Rooms.  A single copy of any one item may be taken for private research use only, and images taken should not be used in any publication or for any other commercial activity without applying to the Library for further permission.

Use of laptops

Laptops may be used in all public areas of the Library including the reading rooms.  A free Wi-Fi pilot project is operating at present in the printed books reading areas and this service is expected to be available in all reading rooms by spring 2009.

Research Service

The National Library of Wales offers a free enquiry answering service, and enquirers are welcome to contact us with their questions. The Library aims 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.

The Enquiries team cannot undertake detailed genealogical research; in such cases, it is suggested that enquirers consult the list of independent researchers provided on the Library's website.

Children and young people

Visitors under 16 years of age can apply to visit the Reading Rooms under certain restrictions including being accompanied by an adult with a valid reader's ticket.