Archive in a Pandemic A-Z: O is for

OPEN, ORKNEY ROOM and ODD THINGS

Keen observers may have noticed we have skipped a week. This was due to our inability to see the screen through the tears of woe from losing our esteemed leader to retirement last week. Finally our wet squelchy faces are more normal looking and the public feel it's safe to come in again. 

For we are OPEN! Yes, unlike mainland Scotland, Orkney is currently* in Level 3 which means that the Library and Archive can remain open. Our opening hours are here and you have to book in advance. 

The reason you have to book in advance is so that through emails or telephone calls we can establish what sort of archives or Orkney Room books you would like to see. Then we can make sure the items you request are sitting on the table by the time you come in. So your time here can be used up by looking at the items you want to see, rather than having to search for them. This method also reduces the interaction between staff and visitors on the day of the booking. 

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ORKNEY ROOM 

Our local studies room has been redesigned so that visitors are well spaced out. 

Excess furniture has been removed so that there is room to move around while keeping your distance from other visitors. 

The computer catalogue is available to use in the Orkney Room, we just ask visitors to sanitise their hands before and after using it.

We allow browsing of the shelves, and ask people to leave any books they have touched on the quarantine table. 

Quarantine Table

Used books are set aside for 72 hours before being re-shelved. 

Sadly our beloved card catalogues can not be used during this time of restriction, as we've no way to monitor which cards have been touched or a way to clean the cards without damaging them. 

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ODD things from the Orkney Room:

Extract from Peace's Almanac 1885

ODD things from the Archive:

L8555-2 PHOTO Probably the parade in celebration of the Coronation of King George VI on 12th May 1937. 

Spotted by our eagle-eyed VOC**, this 1937 Kirkwall fair float carries a CORONA washing machine. I'm not sure if it was an actual make of washing machine or just a joke on the day of the Coronation. But it would be NOT popular today. 

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*fingers crossed this status doesn't change by the time I publish this on Monday 25th January..

** VOC = Very Orcadian Colleague.