The American Philatelic Research Library (APRL), based in
Bellefonte,
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania (; (Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, Ma ...
, is the largest public
philatelic
Philately (; ) is the study of postage stamps and postal history. It also refers to the collection and appreciation of stamps and other philatelic products. Philately involves more than just stamp collecting or the study of postage; it is pos ...
library in the United States.
The library serves the needs of the members of the
American Philatelic Society
The American Philatelic Society (APS) is the largest nonprofit stamp collecting foundation of philately in the world. Both the membership and interests of the society are worldwide.
History
The organization, originally named the ''American Phil ...
(APS) – with which it is closely affiliated and shares premises – and the public. It has more than 21,000 book titles and 5,700 journal titles.
Its current building opened in 2016.
Legal status
The library is a public library under Pennsylvania law and is registered with the
United States Internal Revenue Service as a
501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Donations are treated as a charitable deduction for the purposes of United States federal income tax.
Governance
The library is run by a nine-member Board of Trustees. Each member serves for six years. Three members are elected by the American Philatelic Society membership, three are appointed by the President of the APS and three are elected by the founders and patrons of the APRL.
Magazine
The library publishes a quarterly
magazine, the ''Philatelic Literature Review'', which includes book reviews and other relevant content.
See also
*
List of philatelic libraries
*
International Philatelic Libraries Association
The International Philatelic Libraries Association (IPLA) was formed in 1996 at the Capex 96 stamp exhibition in Toronto."The APRL is hobby's greatest treasure trove" by Kathleen Wunderly aLinns.com
Delegates from many countries attended includi ...
*
Philatelic literature
Philatelic literature is written material relating to philately, primarily information about postage stamps and postal history.
Background to philatelic literature
Philatelic literature is held by stamp collectors and dealers, philatelic soci ...
References
Further reading
"The APRL is hobby's greatest treasure trove" by Kathleen Wunderly''Philatelic Literature Review''
Journal of the American Philatelic Research Library
External links
Official websiteLibrary catalog
Library buildings completed in 2016
Philatelic libraries
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