New library opens for 'treasures'

Rhodri Morgan at the opening of the Roderic Bowen Centre

A new library housing thousands of the most significant historical books and artefacts in Wales has opened.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan opened the Roderic Bowen Centre at the University of Wales in Lampeter, and said it contained "innumerable treasures".

Among the special collections on display at the centre in Ceredigion is a Latin Bible from 1279.

Roderic Bowen was MP for the old county of Cardiganshire from 1945 to 1966. He died in 2001 aged 87.

He was a former deputy speaker of the House of Commons and also the university's president from 1977 to 1992.

During the opening, Mr Morgan praised the variety of early printed books, and prints by 18th Century painter William Hogarth.

He said: "The special collections contain innumerable treasures not only of national significance to Wales but also to an international community of scholars and researchers.

"Thomas Phillips, that great collector of manuscripts and books, who donated over 20,000 books, was determined to provide Lampeter and Wales with a window on the world.

"The new facilities will enable the university to continue and develop this vision."

The new library incorporates state of the art archive storage and a fully equipped reading room.