Bellefonte, Pennsylvania – Come join us as we celebrate 50 years of philatelic knowledge, research and resources. In honor of National Library Week (April 8-14) and this year’s theme of “Libraries Lead” the American Philatelic Society is proud to announce a golden celebration event to mark the 50th anniversary of the American Philatelic Research Library on November 2-3, 2018 at the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.

The event will begin with an informal meet-and-greet on the evening of Friday, November 2 followed by a full day of activities on Saturday, November 3, including author talks, displays of rarely seen items from the APRL archives, a ceremony in recognition of past APRL librarians, special behind-the-scenes library tours, all concluding with a celebration dinner with a very special guest speaker.

“We look forward to sharing this special event with our members and the philatelic community, all of whom made this day possible. With the commitment of their time and the investment of their resources we can proudly look back on the last 50 years and with confidence look forward to the next 50 years and beyond,” said APRL Librarian Scott Tiffney.

APS member Jean Stout, 2013 American Topical Association Distinguished Topical Philatelist, states, “the American Philatelic Research Library is a gold mine of resources and references for philatelists. The hallmark of a good resource library is the ability to serve its patrons’ needs from the simple to the complex. The APRL meets this requirement a thousand-fold.”

Adds 40-year APS member Bill Schultz, “The APRL has been a reliable source over the past number of years for all the desired information I ever need or want. It has made my philatelic life significantly more pleasurable.”

History

In 1967, APS President Edward L. Willard called for the “creation of a Library Service.” On October 28, 1968 the American Philatelic Research Library was officially incorporated and the philatelic home for research and resources for the APS and the philatelic world was born. From its humble beginnings in State College, the APRL has grown to include a vast array of resources that spans the breadth of philatelic knowledge and research. With the grand opening of the APRL’s new $4 million 19,000-square-foot facility at the Bellefonte Match Factory on October 29, 2016 thus began a new chapter in the history of the APRL as the research home of America’s stamp society.

About the American Philatelic Research Library

With more than 85,000 volumes and nearly 6,000 periodical titles on three miles of shelving, the APRL is host to a world-class collection of resources that includes catalogs, books, journals, government documents, auction catalogs, stamp show programs and copies of exhibits. In addition, there are many specialized items in the archives such as the Daniel Hines Air Mail Collection and a 1729 postal map showing New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the oldest item in the library’s collection. With its vast philatelic holdings and resources, the APRL serves as a leader of philatelic research for not only its members but the worldwide philatelic community.