Dear Dave, Yes, the NLW are still very accommodating, but everything changed considerably after the very publicised theft of ills. from books - and the same persons theft of similar things from other significant libraries... the NLW weren't the only significant Library caught out by this wretched individual. Prior to this event they were very trusting, and such had been the case for many years. I haven't had need to go there for a while, but I know that to get a full card one needs p.graphs etc. (not sure about day passes to see books/docs./Mss though), and no-one is allowed to carry brief cases or 'containers' of any description in the Library. I don't blame them for this, and don't have a problem with it either. Pity the old ways and trust have gone though... however, such is life these days. Regards, Bernard