Catalogues

A-Z by Country

Visit the Thematic Subject Headings
to get a flavour of the range subjects

Collecting in general

Specialist Collecting (airmails, forgeries etc)

Periodicals

Auction catalogues

World Exhibition literature

Multi-media holdings

What's Available ?

• Consult our On-line Search database - covering Books, Periodicals & Exhibition Material (plus Stamp Lover Index and Article Index) to see what is available. But please remember our database is constantly being updated, so for the moment even if a particular title doesn't appear, we may still be able to assist - please e-mail us to check.
  
  

• The On-line Search database is also available on the catalogue screens in the Library itself.
  
  

• Those who do not have access to the Internet and wish to "browse the shelves at home" should ask for a listing of their specific country or theme to be sent to their home free by post.
  
  

• Databases of holdings or not, we appreciate that you may still want guidance or information on a specific topic or book and indeed whether a particular item is available for consultation or borrowing at that particular time. We should be very pleased to see you at the Library, but otherwise please do contact us.
  

Visiting the Library and  Borrowing Items

The National Philatelic Society Library (NPSL) is based at Freeling House, Phoenix Place, LONDON WC1X 0DL.  

This is also the main office for The British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA). The Library is open for everyone to use and enjoy, but only National Philatelic Society members may borrow NPSL material; while BPMA records may never be borrowed by any user of the  archive.

Before your visit - You do not need to make an appointment to see Library material that is held onsite. However, as with any library, it is always a good idea to contact us before your visit to either reserve records in readiness for your arrival or to find out if we have material that could be useful to you. It will also maximise your time if you plan your visit in advance, bearing in mind non-Great Britain related holdings are either held behind the scenes or are stored offsite as follows:

Catalogues and Great Britain Books - held in the British Postal Museum & Archive Search Room. Most are available for borrowing National PS members when National PS librarians are on duty, and for reference at other times when the Search Room is open to the public - see "Core opening hours"

Non-Great Britain Books and English-language periodicals since 1980 - Available to National PS members on 30-minute notice (maximum) when National PS librarians are on duty -see "Core opening hours" These items are held behind the scenes and retrieval (which may take up to 30 minutes) will be required. It will therefore maximise your time if you can give us advance notice or your requirements by, for example, using the on-line Library Search and then leaving a telephone message on 020 7239 2571

English language Periodicals pre 1980, Foreign language Periodicals,  Exhibition material and Exhibition holdings - These are stored offsite. They are accessible by National PS members when National PS librarians are on duty provided 4-weeks advance notice is given - see "Core opening hours"

Borrowing - Except for reference and rare or valuable material, National Philatelic Society members in the UK may borrow books and most periodicals for up to four weeks with an extension at the Librarian’s decision. Visit the Library or let us know your requirements by phone, letter or e-mail if you wish to borrow by post.

If you are not a Member of the National PS you may still visit the Library on payment of a small fee for each visit, although naturally non-members are not able to borrow material.  

Facilities and Access for All  

The British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA) Search Room employs its own staff, who are on hand at all times, but National Philatelic Society Library (NPSL) staff are volunteers and so we ask that if members require help relating to the Library or wish to borrow or return material, that they do so during the "Core times" detailed under Opening times.  

Bring suitable ID (something with a signature and address) on your first visit to get your User Card, if wishing to examine BPMA material or use camera equipment. This card will be valid for four years. For access to NPSL material, you need only produce a current National PS membership card.
 

Search Room facilities 

• Reception rest area with lockers (you must store your bag and top coat here)

• Free leaflets and information sheets

• Access to NPS Library including books, monographs, journals and auction catalogues

• Paper and computer catalogues

• Microfilm/microfiche readers with printing facilities

• Comfortable chairs and reading desks with lights and magnifiers

• Power points for personal laptop computers

• Cameras are permitted subject to the BPMA photographic policy

Taking a break There is a water cooler in the Reception area, and you can eat   your own food here. There are plenty of places to eat and drink nearby – try Exmouth Market or the Gray’s Inn Road.  

Entrance to the building

• All public areas are on a level surface, but there is a pavement kerb outside the building

• There are two sets of automatic electric doors to enter the building. Turn left after the first set of doors, then go through the second set to the Reception area

• The Reception counter is directly ahead of the second set of doors (about 4 metres). This has a security window with a hearing loop

• For access to the Search Room please ring the buzzer which is located on the left side of the Reception area counter (there is a sign in braille and raised lettering)

• The security door can be opened wider for wheelchair users by staff

Disabled parking Permit holders can park in the residents’ parking spaces opposite Freeling House.

Accessible toilets There are separate male and female toilets, and a unisex toilet that is fully accessible. You may need to ask staff to assist with doors to the toilets from the Search Room. 

Hearing Loop The Reception desk is fitted with an intercom and hearing loop. A member of BPMA staff is trained in sign language. 

Magnifying glasses and guide dogs There are magnifying glasses with lights available. Guide dogs are permitted in the Search Room.

Library Opening Hours

National Philatelic Society Library "Core Opening Hours"

These are the hours when National PS librarians are in attendance and during which NPSL material may be  borrowed and returned, and material held behind the scenes may accessed.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - 11am – 3pm *
National PS Saturday Meeting Days (normally second Saturday of month) - 10.30am - 2.30pm. click here for dates

* However the NPSL will be closed on all public holidays, between Christmas and New Year and when the BPMA Search Room is closed for annual stock take for two weeks in January and on certain other dates during the year for school and private group visits. These  planned closure dates are variable each year and will be advised on the BPMA website well in advance. We suggest that you check the website prior to travelling.  

Search Room Opening Hours

The BPMA Search Room is open to the public Monday to Friday and selected Saturdays during BPMA opening hours of 10am – 5pm, and until 7pm on Thursdays.

However, we would remind National PS members wishing to borrow or return items or request material held behind the scenes, that they should arrive during Core Opening Hours indicated above.

Outside of these hours NPSL staff may not be available to assist you, and although material in the Search Room will still be accessible, other items will not be available. Please also note that NPSL staff will not be available between Christmas and New Year.

The Search Room is closed on all public holidays and will also be closed for our annual stock take for two weeks during December and on certain other dates during the year for school and private group visits. The Search Room (but without NPSL staff) is also open between Christmas and New Year. The exact Saturday opening dates and planned closure dates are variable each year and will be advised on the BPMA  website well in advance.

Getting to the National Philatelic Society Library

Getting here Freeling House is part of the Mount Pleasant sorting office complex. You may find it useful to mention this if asking for directions on the street!  

Click here for a map and for information on getting to Freeling House by Public Transport.

Walking We are within 15 minutes walking distance of several other archive centres, including the London Metropolitan Archives, Family Records Centre (moving to Kew in 2008), BT Archives and The British Library.

Car  NPSL is within the Congestion Charge Zone (applies Monday-Friday). There are NCP car parks at Bowling Green Lane, Hatton Garden and Saffron Hill (all within the Congestion Charge Zone). Anyone with a disabled parking permit can park in the residents’ parking spaces opposite Freeling House.  

Copying Facilities

BPMA has photocopying facilities, self-service microfilm printers and allows self-service photography free of charge. These facilities are available to National PS members at BPMA prices. Black and white photocopies of NPSL records can be made at a privileged price but only when National; PS staff are available.

Self-service photography Users are allowed to make copies of NPSL documents using their own equipment (i.e. film cameras, digital cameras and camcorders) in the Search Room, providing the user registers with BPMA as a camera user, that a master copyright declaration is signed and that the user follows handling guidelines and the advice of Search Room staff at all times. Out of respect for other users, photography is restricted to the copying of documents only. Before signing the master copyright declaration, please read the Photography Policy available at Reception.  

Use of flash or tripods is not permitted. We may also refuse to allow the copying of certain documents, such as particularly fragile items. Copyright regulations will always be respected.  

Laptop Computers NPS members may bring their own laptop computers into the Search Room without charge under the same terms as those using camera equipment. There are power points installed at each reading desk for your convenience.  

Copying Charges I