If you are interested in learning more about your philatelic items or postal history, philatelic libraries can help you.
Although the American Philatelic Research Library located at the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, has the largest holdings of philatelic literature in the United States (in fact, it is the largest public philatelic library in the world), there may be libraries closer to where you live. They come in a variety of sizes, but all have philatelic material — sometimes items that can be found nowhere else — available to tempt the researcher.
Below is an alphabetical listing of U.S. Philatelic Libraries, including address, hours, and contact information. The links provided (in most cases) are to the parent organization of the library, although several of the libraries do have information about their holdings available online. A helpful hint: before traveling to visit one of these facilities, you may want to call ahead to ensure that there is someone there to assist you in finding the materials you want to see. Many of the libraries are staffed only by volunteers.
Another “pre-trip” suggestion would be to go to the APRL’s online catalog and look for information on your research topic. In addition to the holdings of the APRL, this union catalog includes holdings from the Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library, the Postal History Foundation, and the Collectors Club of New York.
Have we missed anyone? Please let us know. We would like to be able to offer APS members a complete current listing of U.S. Philatelic Libraries. Contact Tara Murray with your updates.
American Philatelic Research Library
100 Match Factory Place
Bellefonte, PA 16823
814-933-3803
Open Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
E-mail: aprl@stamps.org
Website: www.stamplibrary.org
Collectors Club of Chicago Library
Ed Waterous, Librarian
Cabeen House
1029 North Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60610, USA
312-642-7981
Website: www.askphil.org (general philatelic information and sponsored by the CCC)
Collectors Club of New York
Bruce Marsden, Library Chair
22 East 35th Street
New York, NY 10016
212-683-0559
Open Mon–Fri 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Please call ahead.)
E-mail: collectorsclub@verizon.net
Website: www.collectorsclub.org
CCNY holdings are included in the union catalog hosted by the APRL.
Florida Philatelic Foundation Library
8520 South Tamiami Trail, Ste.1
Sarasota, FL 34238
800-927-3351
Open Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
National Postal Museum, Smithsonian Institution
2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002
202-633-5555
Open seven days a week 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., except December 25.
Website: www.postalmuseum.si.edu
Northwest Philatelic Library
4828 NE 33rd Avenue
Portland, OR 97211
503-284-6770
Open 2nd and 4th Saturdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; 2nd and 4th Tuesdays 7–8 p.m.
E-mail: nwpl@qwestoffice.net
Website: www.nwpl.org
Postal History Foundation Peggy J. Slusser Memorial Philatelic Library
920 North First Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85719
520-623-6652
Open Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
E-mail: slusser.library@gmail.com
Website: www.postalhistoryfoundation.org
PHF holdings are included in the union catalog hosted by the APRL.
Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library
2038 South Pontiac Way
Denver, CO 80224
303-759-9921
Open Mon–Wed, Fri & Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Thur 2–8 p.m.
E-mail: rmpl@qwestoffice.net
Website: www.rmpldenver.org
RMPL holdings are included in the union catalog hosted by the APRL.
San Diego Philatelic Library
330 West Felicita Avenue, Suite D-4
Escondido, CA 92025
760-738-4533
Open Mon 3–6 p.m.; Tue 9 a.m.–3 p.m. & 5:30–8:30 p.m.; Wed 1:30–4:30 p.m.;
Thur 9 a.m. –Noon & 6–9 p.m.; Fri 9 a.m. –Noon, 1–4 p.m. & 5:30–8:30 p.m.;
Sat Noon–3 p.m. (Please call ahead.)
E-mail: librarian@sandiegophilateliclibrary.org
Website: www.sandiegophilateliclibrary.org/sdcpl.shtml
Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History
235 Wellesley Street at Regis College
Weston, MA 02493
781-768-8367
Open Thur–Sun, Noon–5 p.m. Closed Sundays in July & August
E-mail: info@spellman.org
Website: www.spellman.org
Western Philatelic Library
1500 Partridge Avenue, Building 5, Room 6
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
408-733-0336
Open Tue & Sat Noon– 5 p.m.; Wed 5–9 p.m.; Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and 7–9 p.m.;
and by appointment. (Please call ahead.)
E-mail: stulev@ix.netcom.com
Website: www.fwpl.org
Wineburgh Philatelic Library
800 West Campbell Road
Richardson, TX 75080
972-883-2955
Please call ahead for hours
E-mail: libwebhelp@utdallas.edu
Website: www.utdallas.edu/library/uniquecoll/speccoll/wprl/wprl.htm
