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Welsh Language Policy
Welsh Language Policy
INTRODUCTION
Objectives
Although the Welsh Language Act 1993 does not place a direct legal obligation on voluntary organisations to offer services to the public in Wales through the medium of Welsh, St Deiniol’s Library has prepared and is implementing a Welsh Language Policy Statement as part of its commitment to reflect good practice in all areas of its work with the public.
Through the inception, implementation, and further development of the policy, St Deiniol’s Library aims to:
- recognise its unique location on the Wales-England border;
- provide an improved service for Welsh speakers;
- support an explicit recognition of the bilingual nature of Wales;
- attract Welsh-speaking staff and volunteers;
- strengthen its relevance to potential funders and supporters;
- emphasise its commitment to the bilingual nature of the Church in Wales.
In the spirit of the Welsh Language Act, this scheme sets out the measures St Deiniol’s Library is undertaking to treat Welsh and English on a basis of equality while providing services to the public in Wales, as is ‘appropriate and reasonably practicable’. The scheme has been produced in the knowledge that with an increase in provision there is often an associated increase in demand, and, as a result, what is ‘appropriate and reasonably practicable’ at present may be subject to change in the future. Therefore, in response to this, consideration of what is ‘appropriate and reasonably practicable’ is an integrated part of the annual review of the scheme.
Publicising the scheme
The Welsh Language Policy will be published on the website in both Welsh and English.
COMMUNICATING IN WELSH
Written correspondence
St Deiniol’s Library welcomes correspondence (including e-mails) in either English or Welsh. Where appropriate and reasonably practicable a reply or acknowledgement will be made in the same language as the initiating correspondence.
Telephone communication
Normally, the telephone will be answered in a way accessible to both Welsh and English speakers. When a Welsh speaker is not available to conduct the conversation, the situation will be explained and the caller will be invited to either:
- submit their enquiry in written form in Welsh so that they can receive a written response in Welsh;
- explain their enquiry fully in English so that they may receive a written reply in Welsh;
- or, continue the call in English.
Meetings
Simultaneous translation facilities can be accommodated effectively within the purpose-designed meeting rooms.
Website
St Deiniol’s website will reflect the bilingual nature of the institution, including a Welsh language introduction to the history and activity of the Library.
Corporate identity
St Deiniol’s is committed to developing future signage and letterheads bilingually.
General information and guidance
St Deiniol’s is committed to maintaining and developing general information and guidance leaflets through the medium of Welsh where appropriate.
Forms
Forms will be made available in both Welsh and English.
Advertising and publicity
Any advertising or publicity campaigns directed specifically at the public in Wales will be produced in both Welsh and English.
STAFFING
Recruitment
The Library recruits all staff under fair and open competition and always appoints the best person for the job. We will actively seek to recruit Welsh speakers as appropriate.
Training
St Deiniol’s is committed to encouraging staff to develop Welsh language skills.
MONITORING
The implementation and further development of the Welsh Language Policy will be reviewed by the Management Committee on an annual basis.
What's next?
Why not stay overnight or plan a short retreat for some personal study time. You'll find the atmosphere here peaceful and friendly, and of course there's the library itself with over 250,000 texts that cover a wide range of subjects, specialising in our core subject areas of Theology and Victorian Studies.
View details of our accommodation at St Deiniol's
Go to booking enquiries
Tel: 01244 532350
Email: enquiries@st-deiniols.org
