Monday 25 October 2010

Alison Fraser

After 35 years as county archivist, and then principal archivist, in Orkney Alison Fraser retired on 7 October 2010. The position in Orkney was Alison’s second archivist post after graduating from Glasgow University, the first being registrar of the Western survey of the National Register of Archives (Scotland) based in Glasgow. Alison has been at the forefront of every advance in Orkney Archives over the years, not least the design and move into a new building in December 2003. The staff of Orkney Library & Archive have all enjoyed working with Alison and wish her a long and happy retirement. Her knowledge of the collection will be greatly missed by them and users alike.

Orkney Islands Council Director of Education and Leisure Services Leslie Manson said: “The archive is well known throughout Scotland and I thank Alison for her dedication and enthusiasm which has helped the service secure this reputation. The council’s vacancy management policy precludes the filling of posts which don’t absolutely need to be filled right away. The future of the post will be considered alongside all management posts as part of the budget exercise and no decisions have yet been made. We shall be putting in place temporary measures to ensure that the library and archive service continues to address users needs as well as possible”.

Best wishes

David Mackie
Photographic Archivist
Orkney Library & Archive
44 Junction Road
Kirkwall
Orkney
KW15 1AG