About the Northwest Philatelic Library

Northwest Philatelic Library was originally established as the Harold Peterson Philatelic Library – the literature repository of the Oregon Stamp Society. In 2003, Northwest Philatelic Library, Inc. was spun off as a separate and distinct legal entity.

NPL is governed and managed by a volunteer Executive Board comprising three officers and four directors at large.

Our Services

Northwest Philatelic Library is the largest of its type in the Pacific Northwest. Our stacks hold over 3,000 volumes, some 200 philatelic periodical titles, and 100 years of price catalogs.

A significant literature acquisition program is a funding priority. NPL welcomes visitors, and for those who cannot travel to Portland, NPL provides services by mail. We seek and foster collaborations with like-minded nonprofit organizations, such as our working relationship with Youth Stamp Collectors, Inc., recognized and respected for its focus on the educational benefits of philately.

Northwest Philatelic Library also offers:

• A searchable, electronic card catalog
• The monthly newsletter Book Reports
• Assistance from specialists who are skilled in finding, organizing and interpreting information
• Advisory services for those with research queries, writing projects or exhibits
• Tear sheets on a variety of philatelic topics
• Monograph series Tips for Collectors
• Seminars, both on- and off-site, to broad audience groups. Examples include: Stamp Collections as Part of an Estate, Collecting on the Internet, Stamps as a Teaching Tool, Stamp Valuation, and Literature Day

Northwest Philatelic Library does not purchase stamps or provide appraisals.  However, every effort will be made to direct parties to appropriate philatelic resources, in support of fair and informed transactions.

Library Check Out

NPL provides check-out privileges to members and to the general public through interlibrary loans. Learn more about our Checkout Policy.

Photocopies

Members and non-members may make use of the photocopier on the premises at 15¢ per copy. On request, NPL staff will photocopy a modest number of pages (20 or less) at this rate, which may then be mailed.

Larger volume requests which take longer than 15 minutes to process will incur a service fee of $10 per hour, billed in 15-minute increments, in addition to the per-copy charge.

Photocopy requests to be mailed to members or non-members must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope with sufficient postage or funds to cover the cost of mailing.

NPL provides photocopies in compliance with U.S. Code, Title 17 – Copyrights.