“To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.” - Steven Wright

Often when I am at a stamp show or a professional development event I am asked by APS members or my fellow colleagues in the library world, why such a long position title as “Librarian / Director of Information Services?” Aren’t you just the “librarian” overseeing the library, much like a library director?

I often respond to members and colleagues alike that the position here at the American Philatelic Research Library is unique and involves much more than just the recognized duties of a librarian like cataloging, researching, administration, supervision, budgeting and oversight. 

What presents the greatest opportunities and welcome responsibilities in this position is the role of director of information services for the library. The opportunities and responsibilities are twofold: growing the existing physical and burgeoning digital collections, and then, of critical importance to both, providing the necessary access for their use. Both the physical and digital collections present challenges. More importantly, both foster great opportunities for reaching our members and library patrons and in turn connecting them with the resources of the library.

In 2022, this column devoted considerable space to one of our most important “information services,” the progress and growth of the Robert A. Mason Digital Library (RMDL). Along with the David Straight Memorial Philatelic Union Catalog, the RMDL provide access to our resources and collections. In 2023, as director of information services, I want to continue to grow our collections and access to them in order to continue the mission of the APRL as the most resourceful and accessible philatelic library. But we can’t do it alone.

In the new year, as we begin Phase II of our digitization efforts, we will continue to upload permissible journals that are already in digital form, scan permissible journals that are in paper form and look to expand the content of the database to include further journals, books, government documents, exhibits and more.

This is where we encourage those of you who wish to include their publications in the digital library to contact us at either library@stamps.org or stiffney@stamps.org to assist us in growing the scope of the database. We are also interested in hearing about content that you would like to see in the RMDL. Help us to help you in providing the resources and access you need in researching your collections. Let’s make 2023 even better than 2022 for the RMDL.

Subscriber special for the new year

The year 2022 saw the largest number of new subscribers to the library’s quarterly journal the Philatelic Literature Review (PLR) in more than five years, but we want to grow that number even further. 

In January and February, if you become a new subscriber to the PLR you will receive a $10 one-time discount code to use for purchase of books from the library’s used books inventory. New subscribers will be given this one-time use code when they subscribe to use for purchase of the library’s used materials. 

We would also like to express our thanks to our renewing subscribers as well, so we will be sending to them a similar $10 one-time discount code. Their support has enabled Editor-in-Chief Susanna Mills and her editorial team to continue to enhance the content and direction of the journal. Renewing subscribers, if you do not receive your code, simply contact the library at stiffney@stamps.org. 

Once new and renewing subscribers have received their codes they can be used for a one-time purchase in the months of January and February only. In order to see what items are available in the library’s used book inventory, click on the “Used Books For Sale” tab on the first page of the David Straight Memorial Philatelic Union Catalog or contact the library at library@stamps.org. Be sure to check back regularly, as the inventory is updated on a weekly basis as new items come into the library.

Upcoming events

Finally, there are library-related events to look forward to in 2023. 

First, there will be a “Ask Me Anything” virtual session about the library sometime early this year. This is your chance to ask anything about the collections and services of the APRL. The session will be an open forum and will give attendees a chance to explore the APRL in a casual but informative manner. Look for the news regarding the session on the APS website and e-newsletter and plan to attend with your questions ready.

Also in 2023, as the new APS website rolls out, look for more virtual tutorials on the library’s webpage regarding the use of the library, its collections and services, specifically the use of the David Straight Memorial Philatelic Union Catalog and the digital library.

One of the goals of the library in 2023 is to make the online catalog and the digital library more seamless, accessible and intuitive for its users. By providing more “hands on” information in the form of virtual tutorials, whether live or recorded, we hope to not only improve the number of those using these two library resources but also to improve their knowledge and working experience with them. Stay tuned.