The WPL as a Community Resource

The Western Philatelic Library is available for specialist society meetings, local club meetings, and tours. Friends of the Western Philatelic Library can also present programs on philatelic research or other specialized topics for stamp clubs, youth groups, or other community groups in the San Francisco Bay Area. Requests should be made well in advance to ensure availability of the space and/or speaker.  Call the Library at 650-306-9150 to schedule.

Most of the materials of the Western Philatelic Library can be checked out for two weeks. Western Philatelic Library has an on-site electronic catalog of its materials. The electronic catalog can be searched at the Library by subject, author, title, and by combinations of these search criteria.

Borrowing Policies

For books and periodicals that do not circulate, volunteer philatelists will gladly conduct preliminary research for you and copy the desired pages (but not entire books).  This research service is available whether or not you wish to check out any books, and many philatelists and writers take advantage of this service.  There is a service charge of US $0.50 per page for photocopying plus postage to cover our out-of-pocket costs.  Color scans may also be available — please inquire.

Our library is open to the public, and you need not be a Member to borrow from the circulating collection, request assistance on research, or come in and do the research yourself.  Postal (out-of-area) borrowers are responsible for postage and insurance both ways, and all borrowers are financially responsible for the books they borrow.  Books that are difficult to replace do not circulate.

To request a book or help with your research, contact us by phone, email, or mail details at the foot of the page.