A marathon not a sprint - Lessons learnt from the first decade of digitisation at the National Library of Wales

Purpose - This paper aims to provide an over-view of developments in digitisation policy and practice at the National Library of Wales (NLW) from 1995 to 2007 and drawing out the lessons leant. Design/methodology/approach - A chronological over-view of developments focusing on the pilot phase, policy statements of 2001 and 2005 and on specific projects that have been undertaken during this period. Findings - Provides a comprehensive view of digitisation at NLW and its evolution over time as well as identifying some key strategic decisions and some important lessons learnt. Research limitations/implications - This paper aims to outline developments as they occurred at NLW and does not aim to place those developments, or any current or future strategies, in a wider context. Originality/value - This paper provides the digitisation community with an account of how digitisation was adopted as a core function (at a relatively early stage) by a national repository and can be of value to those still considering implementing digitisation in earnest for the first time or are looking anew at their digitisation strategy.