’Look,Hear,upon this picture’

Reports results of a questionnaire and interview survey conducted at the Sound and Moving Image Collection, Department of Pictures and Maps, National Library of Wales, to investigate the low level of usage by academics in the University of Wales, to consider ways of increasing awareness of the collection and consider retrieval devices which might enhance remote searching and access. The Collection includes: archival films; multimedia CD-ROMs; original music recordings; and published and unpublished spoken word recordings. A high level of satisfaction was expressed by users and important points were raised by the survey. Researchers recommended: academic loans for academics who are unable to travel to Aberystwyth; more effective self-marketing of the collection; loading of the Collection’s databases on the National Library of Wales’ Web server; production of a printed catalogue of holdings or a newsletter outlining acquisitions; greater liaison with relevant academic departments; more detailed cataloguing information for some types of materials; establishment of a consultative user panel to discuss policy and future developments; establishment of a lecture room where materials from the Collection can be incorporated into lectures and seminars; provision within its collection policy for developments which are already occurring within audio-visual media; planning for future methods of delivery of materials, including digitization; and fees to be levied against commercial users to pay for enhanced provision of services.