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The has come up with a unique way of commemorating the 100th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the iconic building.

On Friday 15 July 2011, staff will attempt to form the world's biggest cwtsh around the iconic neo classical building, and they are calling on friends and fans of the Library to help them with this record attempt.

The Library employs 300 people but to create a human chain to encircle the half kilometre circumference of the building, they will need around 450 people.

Commenting on the approaching anniversary, librarian, Andrew Green said:

"Over the years thousands of people have visited the Library as readers or to see exhibitions and events here. We'd like to invite them to join us and a create a huge human chain around the building in celebration of the contribution of the National Library to Welsh cultural and intellectual life and to the town of Aberystwyth.

"The National Library of Wales was founded on the back of a mass subscription campaign waged by the Welsh people over a century ago. In that respect it is unique among the national libraries of the world. We are now asking the Welsh people to show their continued support for the Library and affirm that the building and its collections will serve the people for the next hundred years."

The foundation stone was laid on 15 July 1911 by George V.

Images kindly provided by the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth

Cornish granite was used for the ground floor and white Portland stone for the floors above. The building itself wasn't actually completed until 1936 as a result of financial constraints brought about by World War One and later, by the Depression.

To find out how you can be part of the cwtsh, and to read more about the history of this wonderful building, visit the website of the .

Supporters are asked to wear red clothing if possible - the colour of the Library's logo and Welsh dragon, so that the chain will stand out.

Other centenary events taking place at the Library include:

Wednesday 13 July at 1.15pm

- archive clips of the Library including a film of laying the foundation stone, the official opening in 1937 and an early film by Sir Ifan ab Owen Edwards.

Thursday 14 July at 1.15pm

- Poetry and talk in the company of Wales's National Poet who composed the Library's centenary poems during the celebrations of the Library's founding in 2007.

Friday 15 July at 10.30 am & 3.30 pm

in the company of Tony Morgan, architect.