National Library of Wales

On a perfect summer's day I drove down earlier to the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. I have not been in the research rooms since the mid 1980s and they have changed a great deal; for a start technology has arrived as the catalogue is now fully electronic and there are computers everywhere. It is still though a splendid place to study.

It also has a strong link with Caerwys - Herbert Lewis of Plas Penucha (often referred to in this blog) campaigned for decades to see the establishment of a national library. He saw it as an important recognition of Welsh nationhood. Herbert Lewis' role was rewarded in 1926 when he was made honorary president of the National Library of Wales.

The main grand entrance is no longer used.

The building itself is in the art-deco/ classical Greece style that was popular between the wars. It is built from white portland stone and is situated above the town of Aberystwyth with a superb vista across Cardigan Bay. Today the sea was a perfect blue.

Look west young man.

My only quibble (and it is only a slight one)  is that the grand entrance is no longer used and the public are now ushered in through a side door. Somehow this reduces the sense of awe one gets when visiting this beautiful building.