1.  THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF WALES (NLW)

  The NLW was established in Aberystwyth in 1907 by Royal Charter.

Purpose

  The Charter of the National Library of Wales defines the purpose of the Library as the collection, preservation and maintenance of manuscripts, printed matter, maps, photographs, visual and audio-visual material relating to Wales and the Celtic peoples and similar material which furthers the aims of higher education and literary and scientific research.

Core Function

  The operation of the Library are characterised by continuing programmes of work rather than by short-term projects. The following core functions represent the absolutely fundamental work the Library must carry out if it is to fulful its Charter. They therefore constitute the essential and ongoing business of the Library. It is not envisaged that these core functions will change.

1.  Provide an effective and timely service to near and remote users by delivery and enquiry services and by the provision of automated and manual catalogues and handlists.

2.  Collect materials by legal deposit, purchase, donation, bequest, exchange, and deposit, according to defined collection development policies drawn up in accordance with the terms of the Charter and process and store materials acquired.

3.  Preserve and conserve materials in the collections.

4.  Interpret and publicise the collections by means of guides, publications, printed and online bibliographies, exhibitions, lectures and any other appropriate means, and produce and maintain the national bibliography.

5.  Provide expert and professional input and collaboration at a Welsh, UK, and international level.

Relationship with Government

  NLW is funded as to 95 per cent of its running costs by Grant in Aid from the Welsh Office and with capital grants on an annual basis. The Secretary of State appoints 4 members to the 43 member Court of the NLW and 3 members to the 21 member Council (which has executive powers).

 2.  THE ROLE OF THE NLW AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO HLF

  The NLW has a role both as an applicant for funds and as an advisory body to HLF.

 (a)   As an applicant for Funds

  NLW was pleased to be the recipient in 1997 of a Grant (£50,625) towards purchase of an important watercolour. It is a constituent body within the Consortium applying for assistance for the Newsplan newspaper microfilming project. It is itself in the process of preparing a major application to HLF for Capital funding of a Development Plan. The preparation period of the latter, in particular, has given the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of relevant HLF arrangements during that important phase when organisations without strong administration might be deterred from proceeding unless adequant information/support arrangements were to be in place.

  As a major national institution within Wales we are able to state that the lack of a formal Welsh office for HLF is a hindrance compared to more accessible facilities offered by other of the lottery funded bodies. Wales faces its own heritage challenges/opportunities which cannot be effectively appreciated or responded to without staff presence here. It is noticeable that disproportionately few applications from the Principality have been successful and this could be one reason.

  The above situation has been compounded by a noticeable reluctance on the part of HLF application teams to enter into the type of informal direct meetings during the preparatory stage which could help both applicants and the Fund to reduce paperwork and unnecessary expense. There are some indications that this approach may be changing with the new guidelines but we would encourage a greater commitment to this activity.

  We would, however, wish to state our appreciation of visits to Aberystwyth by HLF policy advisers for general discussion with parties in the area on Education and Libraries/Archives matters. It would be very beneficial if there were Application Teams based in Wales who were available for more detailed meetings specific to particular projects. It could well be that the future National Assembly for Wales will see this as an important issue although it will be a matter for members to give their views in due course. I understand that recent HLF reorganisation is resulting in the creation of a team for Wales but based in London.

  Similarly we have been invited to two roadshows led by Senior HLF staff which provided a useful overview of current thinking. It was encouraging that one of the Trustees is a Welsh speaker and we would hope that such a link to the distinctive cultural heritage of Wales is maintained under future regimes.

 (b)   As an advisory body

  NLW has been invited to an Advisors Workshop within Wales and general information sessions. We have also been approached in relation to specific projects although, to date, our activity in this role has been limited. NLW has been invited to act as project monitors for HLF projects but in a recent instance has had to withdraw because of a potential conflict of interest.

3.  DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS/CRITERIA/PROCEDURES

 (a)   Distribution

  As a major institution in Wales we are disappointed that Wales has received less than the proportionate share of funds which would be expected to be available from the UK division. We are also disappointed that at least one major Welsh library project (St. Deiniol's Library at Hawarden) has been refused support. There have been isolated incidents of Grants to bodies within our area of interest eg Flintshire Archive Service.

 (b)   Criteria

  Whereas we would expect criteria to change over time, we are concerned that the opportunities for "pure" support to heritage based activities are being linked increasingly to a more immediate direct public benefit with a consequent shift in the balance of successful applications to the latter at time of limited/diminishing overall funding. In particular, there are a number of conservation activities which are less likely to be supported as a consequence yet which in the longer term are essential to the survival of our heritage, particularly in the literary field with which we are most concerned.

  Perhaps because the latter are, of their nature, less likely to attract public support, could it not be argued that HLF presents the ideal opportunity to undertake just those sort of "pure" sometimes unglamorous tasks which themselves are less likely to be funded from general taxation and that other more accessible activities can more reasonably be seen as a proper cause for general public funding?

 (c)   Procedures

  There are perceptible improvements in the procedures of HLF flowing from the new general guidelines; they are more "user friendly" and provide answers to many of the queries which were raised as a consequence of considering the earlier documentation. However, while it is sensible to establish a series of real tests for applicants in order to filter out those with inadequate organisation/support/finance, it does seem to use that there must still be a danger of potentially valuable schemes being stifled by the amount of information which needs to be produced. One wonders whether HLF officials themselves really have time to consider all the paperwork and in any event there must be many small organisations which never reach an application stage because of the technicalities which they face. Although, again, the new Guidelines are an improvement there would be a benefit in raising the ceiling for fast track, small schemes and simplifying the paper requirements. A useful small booklet on "Archives and Special Libraries" was published in 1997.

4.  THE IMPACT ON OUR HERITAGE SECTOR

  Whereas at an overall UK level there have been significant grants to the Library/Archives/Gallery sector, the results for Wales have been more disappointing to date. The fund has given grants, but in the main, to other areas of the heritage field. When one considers the distinctive literary inheritance of Wales, and particularly the importance of the Welsh language and culture, this must be noted as a matter of genuine concern.

5.  RECOMMENDATIONS

  We have made a number of comments above which it is hoped will be helpful to the Culture, Media and Sports Committee in their deliberations.

June 1998