By Marian Mills and Susanna Mills
Published in the Quarter 3 issue of the Philatelic Literature Review, now available for subscribers.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Philatelic Literature Review survey. We got a lot of interesting comments and suggestions, as well as a whole host of new names of volunteers to help out with reviews, roundtables, and other possible new features. We were very interested to read your thoughts, and we will be keeping your preferences in mind as we move in to the new year.
One thing that became abundantly clear while looking over your comments was that while many of you love the PLR, or aspects of the PLR, there are certain things that we could be doing better. We agree! That is why we have decided to undertake a major revamp of the publication for 2025.
Our primary goal is to concentrate on improving the amount and quality of useful information for philatelic researchers and philatelic literature enthusiasts. This will mean a strong focus and push for reviews of new books, regular annotated bibliographies, roundtable discussions on a variety of topics, as well as the typical feature articles that are currently published. There are plans to keep a section devoted to information about philatelic libraries, however most of the library news and updates will be moved to a regular e-newsletter that the APRL is planning to launch in the new year.
The look and feel of the PLR is another change that is in the works; in 2025 the PLR will be an 8 ½ x 11 magazine with full color pages and a higher production standard that reflects the longevity and quality of this publication.
In order to facilitate these changes within our budget, and to allow for the staff time that it will take to implement these new features, the PLR will be published twice a year rather than quarterly. The planned APRL e-newsletter will allow you all to remain up-to-date on some of the things happening within the philatelic literature and library communities, even if the PLR is not published as often. The newsletter will provide a place for more timely advertisement of events, auctions or changes within our partner organizations. We will also provide more frequent updates from the APRL, including the new acquisitions, digital library updates, research tips, and sales in our used book shop. Sign up to receive the APRL newsletter here.
We are receiving finalized quotes from printers as we write this column; we will not be raising prices for subscribers. Full details on the change will be publicized on the APS website, in the 4th quarter issue, and in your upcoming dues notice.
In order to make this magazine the best version of itself, we will need your help. The APS and APRL staff put the pieces together, but the bulk of the useful content is made by philatelic researchers such as yourself. We will need your help to make the annotated bibliographies, review the books, write the articles, and participate in roundtable discussions. We can’t do it without you!
Contact us at PLRarticle@stamps.org with your questions and suggestions.
Not a subscriber of the Philatelic Literature Review? Details on how to subscribe are available here.
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