APRL library construction approved

The American Philatelic Research Library board of trustees voted Feb. 5 to move ahead with construction plans to complete the permanent library at the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte, Pa.

The plan will complete 19,500 square feet of library space in the facility.

A $1.3 million gift left to the American Philatelic Society by 25-year APS member Walter Weber, who died May 23, 2014, will be used to finance most of a $1.6 million loan from the APS to the APRL for the library construction project. The loan plan was unanimously approved by the APS board during a Nov. 25, 2014, board meeting.

During the Feb. 5 telephone meeting, the APRL trustees voted unanimously to accept two proposals.

The first proposal approved Veronesi Building and Remodeling Inc. of State College as the general contractor for what is identified as the phase 9 construction.

The second vote approved the estimated $13,000 payment of the building permit fee and the selection of Pieper, O’Brien, Herr for project management at an estimated cost of $25,000.

During the discussion, it was noted that naming opportunities remain for contributors who would like to assist with financing library construction projects.
Information about these opportunities and plans for the library can be found online at http://stamps.org/userfiles/file/library/Case_for_Support.pdf.