The John Blessington Memorial Library of the Éire Philatelic Association (International)

Library Procedures – Members only

INTENT: It is the intent of the association to operate the library to provide a service to ÉPA members to assist you in research and to provide a vehicle to help expand the members’ knowledge of Irish stamps and Irish postal history.  This is considered to be one of the greatest benefits to being a member of the ÉPA.

LOCATION: The library is located and maintained at the Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History, 241 Wellesley Street, Weston MA 02493, www.spellmanmuseum.org and is available for use by ÉPA members without admission charge.

PUBLICITY: The Revealer, the ÉPA  quarterly journal, will be the primary carrier to publicize the services, availability of material announcement of newly arrived material, requests for special or specific items for the library.

SELECTION: Decisions on what material to purchase is left up to the librarian who will of course, solicit suggestions from the membership at large.

OPERATION: The library operation consists of two services:
a. The reproduction of selected articles upon request and the mailing of these copies to the requester.
b. The mailing of specific books and/or pamphlets to the requester for a specific amount of time.

REPRODUCTION OF MATERIAL: A flat rate of $3.00 will be charged for photocopying and mailing articles from any publication.  Scanning: $4 for the first page; $.25 per additional page.  Fax Services: $4 for the first page; $1 per additional page.  Copies are provided in compliance with U.S. Code Title 17 (copyright code).

THE LENDING OF BOOKS: Borrowers may request up to three at one time. To help cover the costs incurred in providing library services, the borrower must pay a Base Fee of $10.00 per shipment/request plus a fee of $3.00 for one book, $4.00 for two books and $5.00 for three books borrowed at one time.

Additional shipping costs for foreign addresses or rush delivery may apply.  All requests for books must be accompanied by the required fee, may payable to Spellman Museum.  A late fee of $1 per week will be assessed if materials are not returned or renewed by the due date.

A return label will be enclosed with each shipment and the borrower is required to insure the item in the amount of $50.00.  The borrower is responsible for all damages to the items shipped beyond reasonable wear and the loss will be assessed by the replacement cost of each item.  Books may be kept for three weeks after receipt.

It should be kept in mind that the library could develop a listing of material that would be difficult if not impossible to replace. In this instance, whether to lend or to reproduce the material is left to the discretion of the librarian so as not to jeopardize the material or violate copyright laws.

INQUIRIES: All inquiries to the library are welcomed. A personal search for a specific subject item would be done if requested. Recommendations, complaints or suggestions will be accepted. Inquiries requiring a reply are requested to furnish a stamped self-addressed legal size envelope.

DONATIONS: The library will gratefully accept donations of books and articles on Irish philately. A special handstamp will be applied to all books recognizing the donor of the item. A thank you will also be made in the Revealer. Financial donations made to the library for the purchase of a book or books would also be recognized and the books will be so marked.

NOTE: For the most part, where numbers are shown parenthetically after a title, they refer only to library file locations.

The listing below is partial.  if you would like to see an updated listing of the ÉPA collection at Spellman, a checklist is available.  Please send an email to the Secretary at jsharkeyepa@me.com and it will be sent by email.