Welcome to the home of the story of Wales.
Standing above Cardigan Bay, The National Library of Wales is a treasure trove of collections, stories and history. From the Reading Room to our exhibitions, from our café to our shop, come for the day to discover not only the story of Wales, but your story.
Anyone over 16 can register to use our Reading Rooms.
You can only order items to view in the Reading Room on the Main Catalogue and NLW Archive and Manuscripts.
We hold a programme of events and exhibtions based on our collections.
Come and discover the story of Wales through the eyes of our collections. Our experts will lead you through the breadth of our collections, giving a voice to the past. From the famous works of art, to the diaries of the landed gentry, from modern films to early photography, at the Library, history comes alive.
It's imprtant to us that everyone's visit to the Library is as enjoyable as possible.
More information about accessibility in the Library building
There are lockers available (you will need a £1 piece) to store your coats and bags while you visit the Library. Please note that you can't take coats or bags into the Reading Room, these will need to be stored in our lockers.
Our shop is located on the ground floor near the reception. It offers a variety of goods based on our collections, books and tasteful gifts. The Library is a charity, so every items bought in our shops supports us.
Pen Dinas café is also on the ground floor. It offers a selection of meals and drinks in a comfortable atmosphere. With a selection of dining tables and comfortable lounging chairs with views of beautiful Cardigan Bay.
The Library is a great place to visit with the family.