Swansea University’s Richard Burton Archive, Pennard and Pontardawe libraries benefit from share of £2.2m grant

By South Wales Evening Post  |  Posted: April 09, 2014

Source: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Swansea-University-s-Richard-Burton-Archive/story-20932514-detail/story.html

John Griffiths-Minister for Culture and Sport (Photo = Copyright South Wales Evening Post)

AN under-threat library and the preservation of our steel industry history are set to receive a hefty cash boost.

The Welsh Government has announced £2.2 million in funding for libraries, museums and archives.

The Welsh Government has announced £2.2 million in funding for libraries, museums and archives.

As part of the pot Pennard Library, which was recently given a reprieve from closure, has been awarded a share of nearly £1 million, as has Pontardawe Library.

Pennard Library was listed for closure under Swansea Council’s 2014/15 budget. However, after a robust campaign, it was taken off the table at the last minute and the community was offered the opportunity to run it with Swansea Council.

Pennard Library

And a government grant of £20,000, along with £56,000 from the from the National Cataloguing grant scheme will enable the Richard Burton Archives, Glamorgan Archives, Flintshire Record Office, Archives and Records Council Wales, Wrexham Archives and Local Studies to catalogue and make details available online of the archives of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation, British Steel Collection and the Brymbo Steel works collection.

The Richard Burton Archives are at Swansea University, where the Minister for Culture and Sport, John Griffiths, today announced the cash.

He said: “This welcome investment will enable local museums, archives and libraries to develop their services, improve facilities and encourage greater use by the public.

“It will help promote our rich culture and heritage and ensure that more people can access and enjoy our collections.

“The steel industry has played a key role in the development of Wales and the Wales Showing our Metal project will enable researchers of all ages to understand the legacy of the steel industry and its ongoing impact on Welsh communities.

“Without the support of archive services and this investment, these records could have been lost to future generations.”