Art Museum

National Library of Wales

Ceredigion, United Kingdom

National Library of Wales is an art museum in Ceredigion, United Kingdom. 5 works from its collection are in this catalog, including Joseph Mallord William Turner and Anthony van Dyck.

About National Library of Wales

Overview & Identity

The National Library of Wales, located in Aberystwyth, serves as the country's primary reference library and a major repository for documents and manuscripts relating to Wales from the earliest times. Established in 1907, its core mission is to collect and preserve materials related to Wales and Welsh life, ensuring these resources are available for study and research by the people of Wales. The institution holds the privilege of legal deposit, receiving copies of virtually all books published in the United Kingdom, similar to the British Library. It stands as a central cultural institution, housing over 6.5 million printed volumes and acting as a vital archive for Welsh heritage.

History & Founding

The origins of the library date back to 1873, when a committee was formed to collect Welsh material. While Cardiff was initially considered for the National Museum, the National Library was eventually established in Aberystwyth. The institution was founded through a unique grassroots effort, with funds contributed largely by the subscriptions of the working classes, a rarity for such national institutions at the time. The library was officially granted legal deposit status and opened its doors in 1907. Distinguished scholars from the British Museum accompanied the initial collections to Aberystwyth, helping to establish its academic credibility from the outset.

Building & Architecture

The library's building is a notable architectural landmark, constructed with Cornish granite on the lower levels and faced with Portland stone on the upper storeys, creating a distinct visual contrast. The interior features the large North Reading Room, designed with the proportions of a Gothic Cathedral, measuring 175 feet long, 47 feet wide, and 33 feet high, complete with three levels of galleries. To accommodate the rapidly expanding book collection, a six-storey bookstack was added and completed in 1931. The building has endured challenges, including a fire on April 26, 2013, which destroyed a section of the roofing in an office area.

Collection Highlights & Notable Holdings

The library's collections are anchored by significant donations, including the Sir John Williams Collection, which forms the nucleus of the printed books holdings with approximately 23,360 volumes, including nineteen of the first twenty-two books published in Welsh. Manuscript treasures include the Peniarth and Llanstephan manuscripts, as well as the Cwrtmawr Manuscripts from the personal collection of John Humphreys Davies. The library possesses three of the earliest books printed in Welsh and holds 210 of the 286 Welsh books published between 1546 and 1710. Other major holdings include the Wales Broadcast Archive Centre, containing programs from major Welsh broadcasters dating back to the 1920s, and a substantial collection of French medieval literary texts.

Significance & Legacy

As the main Welsh reference library, the National Library of Wales plays an indispensable role in preserving the nation's cultural and literary history. Its status as a legal deposit library ensures the comprehensive preservation of Welsh publishing output. The institution is particularly significant for its rare book collections, including the library of Edward Humphrey Owen and the extensive holdings of John Humphreys Davies, which contain unique variants and previously unrecorded works. The library also serves as a repository for genealogical records, including wills, marriage bonds, and church records, making it a critical resource for family history research in Wales.