Due to high demand and some resource challenges, there may be some delay in responding to enquiries at present. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and will provide an update as soon as possible.
There are a number of ways of contacting the enquiries service
- Complete our online enquiry form
- Email: enquiry@llgc.org.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)1970 632 933 (9.30-17.00)
- Writing to the Enquiries Service, The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. SY23 3BU
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau a gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg. Byddwch yn derbyn ymateb yn Gymraeg ac ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn arwain at oedi. / We welcome calls and correspondence in Welsh. You will receive a response in Welsh and correspondence in Welsh will not result in a delay.
The National Library of Wales offers a free enquiry answering service, and enquirers are welcome to contact us with their questions. We aim to reply to 90% of all enquiries received within 10 working days, but some complex enquiries, or those which are designated Freedom of Information enquiries, may take up to 20 working days to answer. Further details can be found in our Enquiries Policy.
Complaints
You can make a complaint about any aspect of the Library's work or services by emailing complaints@library.wales. You will find details of our complaints procedure in the Complaints Policy.
Chat service
The service will be available every Monday to Friday 10.00-12.00 and 14.00 to 16.00
How to use our Catalogues
If you have questions regarding how to use our Catalogue of NLW Archives and Manuscripts, you may well find the answer on our Catalogue help page or NLW Archives and Manuscripts help page.
Making an enquiry
When submitting an enquiry to us, please indicate:
- your name and full contact details
- all the relevant information gathered to date (e.g. what research has already been undertaken e.g. via your own public library or archives office)
- full names, dates and locations if submitting a genealogical or local history enquiry
Type of enquiries answered
We can answer enquiries which are based on the varied collections held at the Library, as well as basic genealogical enquiries, if sufficient details are provided. We are willing to:
- confirm the details of individuals from census returns, or search a reasonable proportion for returns for specific individuals or households.
- confirm the details of individuals from parish or nonconformist registers, or search a reasonable span of years for a specific entry
- confirm details from the General Register Office index, or search a reasonable period for specific records
- search for the details of properties by searching tithe or estate maps
- confirm bibliographic details such as author, title, date and place of publication of books and articles
- search for newspaper articles if sufficient information is provided
- search for photographs or pictorial works of specific individuals or places
- provide details of specific manuscripts and archives
- provide copies of items from the Library's collections
Please note that the majority of our catalogues and databases may be searched online from the Library's website. A large number of items from our collections have also been digitised.
Requesting copies remotely
If you are unable to visit the Library, you may contact the Enquiries Service with
- full details of what is required
- the item's catalogue reference number
- your contact details
Once we have confirmed our holdings and considered any conservation and copyright issues, a member of staff will be in touch with options and to discuss payment methods. Please contact us if you need any advice or assistance.
The service cannot
- provide general knowledge answers which may be found in public libraries or on the internet
- answer enquiries which are obviously quiz or crossword questions
- undertake detailed genealogical research: in such cases, we suggest that enquirers consult the list of independent researchers. Further details may be seen on the 'Family History' page
- provide birth, marriage or death certificates. For these, enquirers should contact their local Register Office, or the General Register Office
Data Protection
To see how we deal with your personal data view our Privacy Statement.