National Library of Wales

Analysis

National Library of Wales is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Aberystwyth. It was registered in August 1967, 59 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science, environment/conservation/heritage and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. It says it provides human resources, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides services.

In the financial year ending March 2025, National Library of Wales reported income of £22.3m and spending of £17.6m, leaving 21% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £17.3m to £22.3m (+29%), an average of +6.6% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income rose by 21%. Over the whole period it spent 89% of the income it received.

Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, National Library of Wales sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Beamish Museum (£21.6m), Theatre Royal (Plymouth) Limited (£23.4m) and NMRN Operations (£21.5m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 91%, donations and legacies 4.4%, trading 3.7% and investments 1.2%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £443k. Charitable activities took 76% of spending and raising funds 7.1%. Reserves of £588k would cover about 0 months of spending at that rate. It employed 202 people.