For 40 years the American Philatelic Research Library (APRL) has served philately. Its nearly three miles of shelving contain more than 21,000 book titles and 5,700 journal titles. The APRL has one of the world's largest and most accessible collections of philatelic literature. Search our Catalog

Library Collections

In addition to the expected books, catalogues and journals, the library collections include maps, postal and printing artifacts, posters, recordings, CD-ROMS, radio scripts, philatelic memorabilia, letters of famous philatelists, reference files, archives, and a variety of indexes. The library holdings are worldwide with particular emphasis on United States and British Commonwealth publications. Take a tour of the APRL collections view the Librarian Presentation.

Library Services

Researchers are welcome to visit the library at the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte. For those who cannot travel to Bellefonte, the APRL offers its services online and by mail to APS and APRL members, as well as by interlibrary loan to non-members. You can search our databases, borrow books, request photocopies or scans, and consult with our friendly staff. View library services.

Subscribe to the Quarterly Journal

The APRL publishes a quarterly journal, the Philatelic Literature Review. View the current table of contents and on-line articles. This periodical contains indexes and bibliographies, reviews of current philatelic literature, publications in progress, news from the APRL, and “The Clearinghouse,” a forum for subscribers to list literature they want to buy or sell. The basic U.S. subscription is just $18 per year. Other membership levels are available; amounts exceeding the basic subscription fee help to defray the Library's operating costs and are tax deductible. Subscribe today!

Read the Blog

Keep up with the latest news in between issues of the journal by reading the APRL Blog.

Benefit from the APRL's Tax-Exempt Status

The APRL is a public library under Pennsylvania law and an authorized tax-exempt, non-profit institution under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Any donations may be tax deductible under prevailing IRS code specifications. The APRL welcomes donations of philatelic materials (please include an itemized list) as well as monetary contributions, to secure the growth and maintenance of library services.

If you would like to donate materials to the APRL, please contact Librarian Tara Murray for more information.

For more details about the kinds of material the APRL collects, see our Collection Development Policy.