The National Library of Wales and the National Assembly for Wales Commission have announced a partnership agreement with the aim of securing the long-term preservation of the Assembly’s archives.
Both institutions will develop an archive strategy for the Assembly during the next six months. Through the partnership the Assembly’s hugely important and significant historic archives and records will begin to be transferred to the National Library.
Records including legislation, committee reports, Welsh Government statements and the Record of Proceedings – the Assembly’s equivalent to Hansard - will be archived by the National Library. The project will mean documents in both hard copy and electronic form will be more accessible to the general public, increasing the Assembly’s longstanding commitment to openness and transparency.
Elin Jones AM, Llywydd, National Assembly for Wales said:
“I am committed to democratic transparency, and I want to ensure our parliamentary records are accessible and easily searchable by current users and the researchers of tomorrow, to help us tell the story of our legislature.
“The Assembly is fortunate to have the National Library of Wales as a partner, which is well placed to assist us with the long-term preservation of this important archive.”
Linda Tomos, Chief Executive and Librarian, National Library of Wales added:
“The acquisition of the National Assembly’s archive and records will be an important addition to our national collections. We are grateful to the Llywydd for recognising the importance of this archive and for transferring the records to the care of the National Library.
“In years to come constitutional historians will greatly benefit from the archives as they research into the early history of the Assembly”.