The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth is set to appoint a new president and vice president as it embarks on a new five-year plan to enhance digital access and the library’s green credentials that has been “accelerated by the pandemic”.

The Welsh Government is leading the recruitment for the two head roles to “help lead the library through a new and exciting era of strategic growth and development.”

Pedr ap Llwyd, the chief executive and Librarian, said the two new roles “come at a crucial time” for the library, which is about to launch its five-year strategic plan ‘A Library for Wales and the World’.

Mr ap Llwyd said the two new roles “will hold highly influential roles in Wales”, and be a “key component in driving forward the library’s strategic five-year plan.”

“Considering the effects of the pandemic and global warming, we have a bold growth plan for the library to further digitise collections, become more environmentally friendly, and engage with communities within Wales as well as international audiences,” he said.

“Our plans will ensure that the organisation continues to adapt the way it works in response to the needs of modern society and deliver its mission effectively over the next five years and beyond.

“To support the executive and the library, the ambassadorial roles for both president and vice president will be important as we develop new audiences and partners.

“They will be the public face of the library as well as the driving force behind the library’s strategic plan.”

Mr ap Llwyd said that the “impact of the pandemic” has “accelerated some of the strategic plans the library had planned for the next few years”, with a “major shift to offering more extensive digital services and online events”.

“Digital technology is central to realising our new strategy,” he said.

“We have been innovators in the field of digitalisation in culture and heritage for many years.

“Being more digitally accessible will widen our reach but will also help the library meet its green agenda.

“There are huge ‘green’ benefits to digitalisation.

“Digital collections now enable people to enjoy our services and archives from anywhere in the world - they no longer have to visit Aberystwyth to access library resources.

“This is significantly reducing our carbon footprint.”

Mr ap Llwyd said that the National Library of Wales is “one of the great libraries of the world” that is a “unique institution and holds the memory of our nation within its walls.”

“We play a crucial role in securing and ensuring people can enjoy and benefit from Wales’ culture in years to come,” he added.

“The new president and vice president will value that importance and understand their responsibility as a caretaker of our nation’s diverse culture and history.”

Applications for the roles of president and vice president close on 13 and 20 October respectively.

For more information, visit gov.wales/public-appointments