National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales

The collection

Selected films

Contact and access

• The Archive
• Access
• Projects
• Partnerships
• Publications

Access and Facilities:

Academic users may access any sound and moving image material in the collection subject to its current state of preservation and any rights restrictions. The archive actively encourages academic access and will work with academics to facilitate their use of the collections.

• Catalogue - All film holdings are catalogued at entry-level, with very basic details. At present approximately 15 per cent of the collection is fully catalogued with a synopsis and shot list. The archive has recently made several hundred of its catalogue entries available online (see website), and this number is growing regularly as new entries are added.
• Searching - To search the archive’s film holdings, researchers can use the online catalogue as a starting point; or contact the archive by phone, fax or e-mail to discuss their query with the staff. It should be borne in mind that not all the catalogued material is yet online, and that the online content descriptions are only a summary of the more detailed information held in the archive, e.g. in the form of detailed shotlists. On request staff will conduct a search of the full catalogue and provide a list of relevant titles and synopses by e-mail, post or fax.
• Viewing - The archive has a number of viewing and listening booths and users are asked to make an appointment to view or listen to archive material on site. A limited VHS loan facility is also available on request for viewing off site. The archive also has a screening area for groups of up to 15 people. In June 2004 the National Library of Wales opened its new state-of-the-art auditorium - Y Drwm (The Drum), which is fully equipped for film projection and can seat up to 100 people for archival screenings and other events. The archive staff can also take viewing copies and projection equipment out to other locations to enable group viewing for educational purposes. In the future, the archive hopes to increase access to its collections by making selected viewing copies available in libraries, record offices and other venues.
• Charges – The charging system for the archive is currently under review. However minimal charges are currently in place for the copying and loan of VHS material for educational purposes and for students and academic users there is generally no charge made for viewing material on site, within certain limits.