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The Communities of Wales Project
During 2022-23, the Library has launched the Communities of Wales project that tells the story of the various communities in Wales. This work is funded from the Welsh Government’s anti-racism fund.
A project with Monkton School in Pembrokeshire and gypsy and traveller communities focussed on the importance of stories and storytelling within the traveller community. Respecting the background and traditions of people who are different from each other were central to all the activities. Legends and stories are an integral part of the Welsh tradition and the traditions of the Gypsy communities alike, making the Library’s collections very suitable for supporting the work.
Another project was one with Cathays High School, Cardiff Commitment and UNIFY to look at the history of Cardiff's communities. This work led to the production of a mural based on the project on the external walls of the school, to raise awareness of the work through visual presence. Another project focused on the Welsh diaspora from Portugal, working with Bodhyfryd School, Wrexham, the People’s Collection and Tŷ Pawb on the idea of Cynefin, which is central to the new curriculum.
In each of these projects, the team worked with champions within the communities in order to raise the profile of the work and give it fuller credibility. We were able to support and enrich the work with relevant items from the Library’s collections, and use them to contribute to creating a better understanding of history and identity.
Decolonising Archives Project – appointing our Archives Decolonisation Officer
The National Library of Wales is determined to ensure that its collections and services are more representative of the various aspects of Welsh life and history. We will play an active part in creating an Anti-racist Wales and to deliver on the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan announced by Welsh Government. In order to achieve this, Miidong P. Daloeng was appointed as Archives Decolonization Project Officer in January 2023 to work on a 2-year project. This post will play a key role in finding ways to lift the barriers to heritage and cultural collections through relevant, innovative and engaging experiences that appeal to a range of communities.
Miidong will start by familiarizing herself with the Library’s vast collections and will work towards publishing an online diversity Calendar for Wales and the World. The calendar will mark religious, cultural, awareness, diversity, memorial events, and public holidays using the National Library’s rich collections, with references to relevant books, archives and manuscripts, photographs and images, audio-visual material and digitized collections.
An opportunity for all
The National Library Volunteering Scheme is open to all and is proactive in providing opportunities and that ensure inclusiveness for those with disabilities. In 2022-23 10% of our volunteers faced physical or mental barriers to the workplace, 5% of our volunteers were disabled and 18% were unemployed.
The new volunteer room opened in 2023 includes provision for wheelchairs, and the Volunteering Unit has either worked with, or received training from the following bodies during 2022-23: The Neurodiverse Museum – Museums & Neurodiversity; Jobcentre Plus – Putting Capability First; CAVO – Recruiting Volunteers post-Covid; WCVA – Social Prescribing Strategic Consultation; Hywel Dda Health Board – Drop-in session at Gorwelion on a quarterly basis. Library volunteers have also been subtitling NLW presentations on YouTube for the deaf.