National Library of Wales is missing 2,200 items
The number unaccounted for is significantly higher than the 1,200 items that were missing when BBC Wales gained figures through a Freedom of Information request in September 2023. A spokesperson said the increase is due to "new stock checking processes".The library is a legal deposit library, which means it is entitled to a copy of every print publication in Britain and Ireland, and no items are allowed to be taken from the building.Of the 2,206 missing items, the request under the latest Freedom of Information Act by BBC Wales showed that:1,708 books and magazines are missing, some since 1999 393 maps, some since 193982 in the "archives and manuscripts" category, some since 1978 21 "screen and sound" items, some since 2019two items in the "pictures and photographs" category, one since 2009 and the other since 2023Missing archives include papers of J Glyn Davies whose songs for children include Cerddi Huw Puw (1923), which are based on sailors' songs he had heard during his youth.These have been described as bearing "the marks of a genius".Also missing are papers relating to Chirk Castle near Wrexham, the construction of which began around 1295 during the reign of Edward I.Missing sound recordings include the satirical song "Carlo" by Dafydd Iwan which was written for the investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales in 1969, and a recording by Treorchy Male Choir.Missing journals include issues of the library's own journal, Welsh History Review, Flintshire Historical Society, Gwent Local History and The Carmarthen Historian.Missing books cover topics from Owain Glyndŵr, the last native-born Welshman to claim the title Prince of Wales, to a biography of Keir Hardie, the first parliamentary leader of the Labour party.An 1818 edition of 'The Pleasures of Imagination' by Mark Akenside is missing, as is Lady Charlotte Schreiber's journals (1911), the "confidences" of a collector of ceramics and antiques.A book by Phil Thompson and Tommy Smith called "Do That Again Son, and I'll Break Your Legs: Football's Hardmen" is also not accounted for.Missing maps include a malt whisky map of Scotland, and several maps relating to Gogerddan, the principal estate of the old county of Cardiganshire in the 17th century.
The library's head of communications, Rhodri ap Dyfrig, said that staff had "introduced new stock checking processes for published collections and therefore we fully expected that there would be an increase in the items recorded as not being in their correct location".He added: "The thorough process of monitoring of misplaced items takes place continuously and these checks are a normal and integral part of maintaining standards and good practice in the library sector."Due to this constant monitoring and work, the data we provide is a snapshot of a specific period in time, and this figure fluctuates regularly as items are found and relocated."The library carries out an annual audit of items worth more than £10,000 and no missing items that cross that threshold were found over the last year.The library's collections include seven million books and newspapers, 1.5 million maps and 950,000 photographs located across 160 miles of shelves.The Welsh government said: "The care and management of its collections is a matter for the National Library. "In doing so, it meets the Archive Service Accreditation – the UK-wide standard for archive services."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Expanding carbon capture project ‘marks significant moment for Welsh industry'
Expanding carbon capture and storage negotiations marks a 'significant moment' for industry in Wales, Jo Stevens has said. The Welsh Secretary welcomed fresh negotiations to plug two more energy generation projects into the developing HyNet North West carbon capture network project, which will see emissions captured and permanently locked away. A new power station at Connah's Quay, Flintshire, will be added to a list of three schemes which are already classed as priority for a deal. The power station at peak output is expected to produce enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 900,000 homes. The Ince Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (InBECCS) project in Cheshire, England – which is designed to use waste wood to generate low-carbon energy – will also be prioritised, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. 'This is another significant moment for the growing clean energy industry in Wales,' Ms Stevens said. 'It's fantastic to see North Wales at the forefront of the carbon capture industry and the hundreds of new jobs being created by the HyNet project will help drive regional growth as well as accelerating our drive towards lower bills and energy security.' The Government expects these projects will secure an additional 800 jobs in North Wales and north-west England, industry minister Sarah Jones has said. 'We are securing the jobs of the future, the power for our homes and the protection of our planet by becoming world leaders on carbon capture and storage,' she added.
Business News Wales
5 hours ago
- Business News Wales
Welsh AI Firm Launches Platform to Cut Waste and Boost UK Steel Industry
A Cardiff firm has launched an AI-powered platform designed to help steel manufacturers to reduce waste, lower carbon emissions and improve production efficiency. from Nightingale HQ (NHQ), is purpose-built for the reinforcement steel industry and has already worked with manufacturers such as Midland Steel to use digital tools to address practical, day-to-day challenges such as automating data extraction, optimising reinforcing bar (rebar) production planning, and monitoring environmental impact. The firm said the launch comes at a critical time for the industry, aligning with the UK Government's newly announced £725 billion infrastructure investment strategy. The strategy, which emphasises large-scale public infrastructure development, is underpinned by digital innovation and a strong commitment to achieving net zero. In line with the UK strategy, the Wales-made platform can impact the wider UK market by finding waste-cutting opportunities beyond the ability of human effort, helping manufacturers increase revenue and save tonnes of steel from scrap, the firm said. Steph Locke, Head of Product for NHQ, said the new platform would bridge the gap in the sector, helping manufacturers leverage AI to increase competitiveness. Steph said: 'For us as a Wales-based tech scale-up, we're excited about the opportunity to support local steelmakers during this transformative time. Investment in Tata Steel's transition to electric arc furnace technology at Port Talbot represents a major turning point for the sector and opens up long-term opportunities to apply new technologies to old challenges. 'Looking wider, under the UK's new Infrastructure Strategy, steelmakers will face increased pressure to be more efficient and sustainable, yet the majority lack the digital tools required to meet these expectations. Major projects such as the Sizewell C nuclear power stations and offshore wind expansion will require millions of tonnes of rebar so efficiency isn't just environmentally responsible, it's economically essential. 'That's why we feel now is the perfect time to officially launch which can deliver powerful, no-code AI directly to production teams without expensive software or technical expertise. We're already working with some of the biggest manufacturers in Europe, and our ambition is to have a wide-reaching impact on the UK steel industry.' Globally, the rebar market is set to reach £325 billion by 2031, driven by infrastructure growth and government investment. At the same time, ongoing UK/US tariff uncertainty highlights the importance of innovation and cost-efficiency for maintaining competitiveness.
Business News Wales
5 hours ago
- Business News Wales
Welsh Hospitality 'Risks Being Taxed Out of Existence By Business Rates Proposal'
UKHospitality is calling on the Welsh Government to extend business rates support to include hospitality, saying the sector 'risks being taxed out of existence'. A Welsh Government consultation on non-domestic rates is due to close on August 12. The Local Government Finance (Wales) Act 2024 provided the Welsh Government with the ability to introduce differential multipliers for Wales using regulations. The current consultation seeks views on the Welsh Government's proposals to introduce differential multipliers from 1 April 2026. The Welsh Government is proposing to introduce a lower multiplier for small to medium sized retailers. It says the proposal 'recognises the unique challenges faced by 'bricks and mortar' retail shops, not least through their exposure to competition from online retailers'. It says its proposal 'would also be expected to indirectly benefit other sectors of the high street economy, through the visitor footfall supported by the maintenance of a viable retail sector'. However UKHospitality Cymru says the proposals have 'sidelined the sector' and added that hospitality in Wales is now 'facing substantial and potentially damaging business rates hikes'. It said: 'That lack of support will mean a typical high street pub will be paying an extra £6,800 per year in business rates; a typical country hotel would see an increase of around £17,000 per year; and a city-centre hotel would see nearly £50,000 extra in costs. Some of Wales's finest accommodation attractions will see even bigger increases, damaging domestic, international and business tourism.' The trade association added that it is seeking 'optimal support to stall any proposed legislation to tax Welsh hospitality businesses out of existence'. It is calling for Welsh business leaders to join it in responding to the Welsh Government's consultation. David Chapman, Executive Director of UKHospitality Cymru, said: 'This is a critical issue that will threaten the very existence of pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants across the UK. 'Hospitality must, without a shadow of a doubt, be included in any and every business rates support package, if we are to avoid the sector being taxed out. Failing to recognise and implement support for hospitality would risk the Welsh Government undermining their policy objectives, effectively leading to the gutting of the high street as we know it. 'We urge all hospitality businesses across Wales, large or small, to back our calls for support from Government, by submitting their views to the Senedd before this crucial consultation closes on 12th August. 'It's vital that not only Welsh hospitality business receive business rates support, but also our counterparts in England and Scotland.'
