Reading at NLW

Welcome to The National Library of Wales' Reading Room.

To enjoy the experience of using the Reading Room, you must first have a valid Reader's Ticket.

The National Library of Wales is a reference library, and material can be consulted in the North Reading Room, or, where available, online.

Readers are encouraged to pre-order material before their visit; this is essential if visiting on a Saturday, as we only issue material on a Saturday which has been pre-ordered during the week, or which has been placed on reserve during the week.

More details can be found on our Item Delivery Times page.

For details regarding the different levels of access please see the What can I access page.

Wi-fi is free and available in the Reading Room.

The Reading Room

In the North Reading Room readers can consult printed books, journals and access our electronic resources, including our external e-resources.

Readers can also consult sound and moving images including films, television programmes, videos, sound recordings and music.

Please note that if you would like to view or listen to the National Screen and Sound Archive materials, we ask that you give 24-72 hours notice before your visit. Notice is required as many of the Archive's materials are kept under special conditions, and will need to be prepared before your visit.

Accessibility

The Library has equipment available in its reading room to assist with access to our resources, and includes: 

• Smartview and AverVision machines for magnification of manuscripts and printed material 
• ScannaR machine which reads text aloud
• Supernova facilities which magnify and read text aloud
• tables which can be raised or lowered as required

Policies

• Conditions of use of the Reading rooms (PDF 799 KB)
• Breaches of Conditions (PDF 317 KB)
• Customer Care Charter (PDF 97 KB)
• Complaints Policy (PDF 219 KB)
• Readers Acceptable Use Policy (PDF 240 KB)
• Collections Access Policy (PDF 787 KB)
• Use of personal cameras to make copies

Data Protection

To see how we deal with your personal data view our Privacy Statement.