Please change your bookmark.                                        

The Story of America's Libraries: A Postal Librariana Exhibit by Larry T. Nix

After years of collecting, planning, and research, I created an exhibit of a portion of my postal librariana collection for showing at stamp shows which include stamp and cover exhibits. I have now shown my exhibit entitled "The Story of America's Libraries" at five national level stamp shows which are sanctioned by the American Philatelic Society (APS). Exhibits are judged by a jury of judges accredited by the APS. My exhibit is entered in the Display Division which allows the most flexibility in the kinds of philatelic and non-philatelic items which can be included in the exhibit.  A synopsis of the exhibit is provided to the judges before the stamp show. 

Exhibit Introduction

America’s libraries are an integral part of our nation and its history.  As our nation grew and became more diverse, so did America’s libraries. Today, they include thousands of public, school, academic, and special libraries which range in size from very small libraries to some of the largest research libraries in the world.  This Display Division exhibit uses stamps, covers, and other paper artifacts to tell the story of these libraries.  The story of America’s libraries is intertwined with the story of America’s postal system.  The use of mail was an essential factor in the day to day conduct of library business.  Mail was used to acquire collections of books and other library materials, to facilitate the prompt return of library materials, to borrow library materials from other libraries, and to directly serve library patrons.  Many of the covers included in this exhibit illustrate these and other uses of the mail by libraries.  America’s libraries have helped build a nation of readers and lifelong learners and are an essential part of our democracy.  This exhibit celebrates that legacy.

Exhibit Contents

Title Page
Plan Page
America’s Membership Libraries (14 pages)
America’s Public Libraries (32 pages)
America's State Libraries (16 pages)
America’s Library – The Library of Congress (16 pages)
America’s Academic Libraries (16 pages)
America’s Philatelic Library (8 pages)
America’s Presidential Libraries (8 pages)
America’s Special Libraries (16 pages)
America’s For-profit Libraries (4 pages)
Vendors to America’s Libraries (4 pages)
America’s Library Schools (2 pages)
America’s School Libraries (1 page)
A Place Called Library (1 page)
Library Associations and Organizations (4 pages)
America’s Library Association (12 pages)
America’s Libraries – The Stamp (4 pages)

Exhibit Awards

American Topical Association National Topical Show 2003
Vermeil Medal (Vermeil is the medal level between Gold and Silver)
Best Americana Exhibit Award

MILCOPEX 2003
Vermeil Medal
American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors (AAPE) Award of Honor

CHICAGOPEX 2003
Gold Medal
American Philatelic Congress Award for Excellence in the Written Text of an Exhibit
AAPE Creativity in Philatelic Exhibiting Medal
American Topical Association First Place Medal

St. Louis Stamp Expo 2004
Vermeil Medal

MILCOPEX 2004
Gold Medal
William J. Ulhein Award for Best Americana Exhibit

Philatelic exhibits are normally mounted on 8 1/2 x 11 inch letter size pages. These pages are then mounted in display frames that hold 16 pages which are arranged four across. My exhibit is comprised of 160 pages which fill 10 frames.  This is the maximum size for an APS exhibit.

This site created and maintained by Larry T. Nix

Send comments or questions to nixlt@execpc.com
Last updated: 02-22-05

Copyright 2001-2005 ©  Larry T. Nix