Visiting the Special Collections and Archives

We are open: Tuesday to Friday: 9.30am – 1pm and 2pm – 4.30pm.

Saturday and Sunday: Closed (unless by prior agreement)

Location and Booking

Roderic Bowen Library and Archives is situated on the Lampeter campus. We are open by appointment only; you will need to book your visit in advance, either by booking online or by emailing specialcollections@uwtsd.ac.uk. We also offer visits for local societies and groups.

We have a dedicated reading room where you can use the archives and rare books housed in our strong room. We operate a “mediated service”, with staff fetching the materials you want. There will always be an archivist or librarian to help you, and a small reference collection of supporting material available for your use.

Toilets are available on the mezzanine near the library entrance. There are several cafés within a five-minute walk. Paid parking is available on campus.

You will save time by pre-ordering items before you come. Alternatively, you can browse the catalogue and request material once you’ve arrived.

Guidelines for Researchers Using our Collections

Many of the items in our collections have already survived for centuries. Please treat them with the respect they deserve so they will still be available for future generations to study.

Do

Sign in on your arrival here.
Ensure your hands are clean before handling material.
Use pencils only, rather than pens. We have an almost unlimited supply of pencils.
Take care in handling documents.
Support items properly. Use book supports for bound volumes. Lay documents and maps flat and use weights to hold them open. We will provide equipment including book pillows, snakes and acid free bookmarks.
Take photographs in accordance with copyright legislation, (but without using flash)

Don’t

Bring food or drink into the reading room.
Consume tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) anywhere in the library building.
Take items out of the reading room.
Lean on or mark documents in any way.

Remember

Our staff will be pleased to help you, and to explain the reasons for any of the rules. Ask us if you want help or information.