Mr Foote grew up in Guernsey. For many years, he lived and worked in the UK, but he returned to live in the island in 2019, taking up a role with the States.
In 2014, Mr Foote started Blue Ormer Publishing to publish books related to the Channel Islands. Blue Ormer has published over 20 titles. He is also editor of The Review of the Guernsey Society, to which he has contributed many articles on aspects of Guernsey’s history.
Mr Foote said he is looking forward to working with staff, the Priaulx Library Council and the Friends of the Priaulx Library to enhance the experience of visitors to the Libray, which specialises in local history and family studies, whilst retaining the features its current users value.
Pictured: A picture of ‘The Old Quay’ from 1855. The Priaulx Library states: “From medieval land documents to the very newest publications, the Priaulx Library collects and curates anything related to to the study of Guernsey and the Channel Islands.” Credit: The Priaulx Library.
“Having been a regular visitor over the past 40 years, it is a real privilege to get to know the Library from behind the scenes,” said Mr Foote.
“As Guernsey’s local studies centre, the Priaulx is an important asset and treasured institution.
“Exciting challenges lie ahead – some common with many libraries in the 21st century, others unique to the Priaulx due to its history and location.”
Nik van Leuven, Chairman of Priaulx Library Council, is delighted to welcome Mr Foote.
“He brings to the office a wide range of talents and experience and is already fizzing with inspiring ideas and initiatives.”
Mr van Leuven also thanked retiring Chief Executive, David Harry.
“Together with staff, David kept the Library functioning throughout the difficulties caused by covid,” he said. “We are very grateful to him for his unstinting efforts on our behalf.”
Pictured: Mr Foote set up Blue Ormer Publishing to publish books related to the Channel Islands. It has published more than 20 books, including the story of journalist Frank Falla, who was part of the Guernsey Underground News Service (GUNS) during the German occupation.
Since 1889, the Priaulx Library has been collecting, cataloguing and preserving records, artefacts and books that document Guernsey’s history and celebrate its unique identity. It aims to make this collection as accessible as possible.
Archives are open to the public and are popular with researchers and with the local community. Collections include maps, family records, pictures, photographs, books, local newspapers, family and military records and important local documents.
A project to digitise the Library’s holdings – Digital Priaulx – is well underway.
Pictured (top): Steve Foote, the new Chief Executive of the Priaulx Library, and Sue Laker, the Library’s Chief Librarian.