A Quick Look at Our History and Building

The Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library had its beginnings in 1993 when a group of area philatelists gathered to determine whether this "wild idea" would be feasible. At this meeting all decided it was a good idea and with the donation of a storefront by Dave Capra, rent free, we started gathering materials. Some members of this original group put up the necessary money for shelves, desks, tables and chairs. On August 1, 1993 we opened for business near South Peoria and Parker Road in Aurora. While we were getting rent-free space, we still hoped to have our own space.

A little over a year later Dave said that he (and a partner) had a chance to lease the space. He had another unit next door (less than 1/2 the size of the original unit) that we could use. At this point we started looking quite seriously for a building that we could buy - yes buy! About six months after the move Dave told us that he (and the partner) had a chance to lease the space we were in, but that we could use storage space rent free until we found a location.

We looked at all kinds of buildings in all kinds of locations. Not all buildings are suitable for the weight load factors of shelves loaded with books and magazines. After hectic negotiations, we finally purchased the building at 2038 So. Pontiac Way. It was in a good neighborhood, had a cement slab floor and it had about 3300 sq. ft. of space. There was only one thing wrong - it was a mess - dark and damp. That is why we could afford it. After we had a new roof installed, we started to work on the interior - painting, cleaning, taking out several small rooms, putting up wall board, remodeling the dropped ceiling, and working on the electrical scheme. All of this was done by volunteer labor. We had industrial grade carpeting put in and on August 3, 1996 we reopened for business in our own building. We won't go into how we did the financing, but we paid off the loans in seven years - eight years ahead of schedule!

Now, Let's Take a Look Inside Our Building...

The view just inside the front door of the library.	As one walks through the door of the RMPL the first thing you see are rows of shelves loaded with books (later you realize that there are six rows as well as rows of shelves around most of the room). A turn to the right and you see an "L" shape counter and a registration book.
The front counter is on the left near the center of the picture.	After you have signed the register you turn around and see the computer station where the user can search for books of interest - just like using the old card catalog, only better. A turn to the right and you will see six filling cabinets.
Thomas Crane takes a look in the clipping files.	These hold our "Clipping Files" which contain thousands of articles clipped from newspaper type philatelic publications, all filed alphabetically by subject.
Board Member Emiterus Jack Willard in the Western History and Railroad room. Jack donated most of he books in the room to the RMPL.	We enter a door and we are in a room that contains a very special collection of approximately 1,500 books - the Western History and Railroad collection. Many of our members are interested in the postal history of the Western States and railroads of the west so this collection contains a wealth of information for that collector. As we leave the "Western History" room we take a quick turn to the left and enter the Map Room.
Dave Capra and Dave Reitsema look up some maps.	In this small room we have a large completely indexed collection of maps and atlases ready for use as reference material. RMPL Corresponding Secretary Bob Brown is in charge of this room. We leave this room and go a few steps to the left and enter another room.
RMPL Vice President Jim Kilbane is also one of the caretakers of the National Scandinavian Club Library.	This is the home of the national Scandinavian Collectors Club library. It contains a collection of materials related to Scandinavian philately. The national club was searching for a place to put their library and contacted the RMPL to see if there was any room. Although space has become quite dear, they were allowed to store their materials in this room and they operate their library from there. As you walk out of the SCC library room and turn left you see shelves along the wall and continuing across the back of the room and into the back hallway and a back room.
Case Hanau and Joy Wall look over materials in the back room.	These shelves hold the periodicals, auction catalogs, show catalogs, and more. The back room alone has 1/3 as much shelf space as the entire main room. This is because it has compact shelving on rails, the same as you may have seem in some libraries, or doctors or lawyers offices.
Joy shows how easy it is to move shelves in the back room.	At the other end of the back hallway, you come to a small room where we have a refrigerator, microwave, stove, sink, and the all important coffee maker. Here you will also find dozens of slide shows available for stamp club meetings in the Denver area and a section of philatelic related videotapes. CDs and DVDs used to be here, but were recently integrated into the main stacks.

Meeting Area

Re-entering the main room you will find an area where there are tables and chairs as well as an overstuffed chair and sofas. This is the area that is used for collectors and researchers to review books and periodicals, as well as to search for, and purchase stamps, from our massive stamp wall.	Maury Pautz presides over one of the many meetings held at the RMPL. (Photo by Ron Hill)
	RMPL mailboxes
Back to the shelving in the center of the room - we start on the left side of the room as you come in. At the far left are our post office boxes, used for delivering material to various members of the RMPL. Those mailboxes were donated to the RMPL in 1995 by Denver’s Postmaster Perez. The first stack opposite the mailboxes is where you will find worldwide catalogs such as Gibbons, Scott's (back to the 1890's), Minkus, etc. Just inside the second row of shelves we start with all of the books that have been cataloged and are arranged in Dewey Decimal order and extend for the next three rows. Following these books we have a shelf section specifically for topical collectors. Altogether we have over 12,000 books that are cataloged and can be found in our search computer.	A wide angle wide view of the reading area. Stamps for sale are in shelves that line the wall on the left.
	Master topical specialist Dasa Metzler supervises the Topical stamp program, in this case working with Roma Schultz in organizing the topical binders.
Following the books, we have our periodical collection. This continues through the rest of the shelving in the center of the room and extends about halfway down the right hand wall looking at the room as you enter. We have more than 1,100 different periodical publications, with more than 100,000 issues. Those periodicals extend along the back wall, into the rear corridor, and into the movable shelves of the redesigned back storage room.	Another very valuable volunteer is Charles Baker. He keeps our six computers and dozens of software programs humming.
At the rear of the building, along the west wall are two 10 x 10 rooms. These have been especially modified to house the permanent collection of the National Scandinavian Collector’s Club Library of the United States. Managed by the Denver chapter of the SCC, the SCCL provides to its members (as well as RMPL members) access to over 1,000 books on the stamp issuing countries of Scandinavia and dependencies, as well as a myriad variety of periodicals and journals devoted to Scandinavian philately.
In the front of the library on the right as you enter is the Librarian's office where we have the master computer and where many of our records are kept. Ellengail Beuthel has been the RMPL’s Librarian since its inception, designing and developing the RMPL’s unique Dewey Decimal system for its holdings; the holdings catalog, and the subject index catalog with its 1200 headings, the most extensive subject listings for philately in the U.S.	Volunteer librarian Ellengail Beuthel is probably the most important person at the RMPL. It is likely there would not be a library without her help the last 15 years.
Steel cabinets also hold various "locked case materials" - materials that are either too old or too expensive to be kept with the regular materials. These are restricted for research on the premises only.
The tour of our original facility is now complete as you have returned to the sign in and checkout counter...	Space needs were beginning to constrain activities at the RMPL.
In December 2009, the RMPL completed a six months of activity with the purchase of the adjacent building and lot located at 2048 S. Pontiac Way/7070 E Asbury.

The two buildings of the RMPL, with the new formal garden in the forefront.	That decision followed on survey’s of the membership which showed that of the library’s 480 members at the time; 380 responded to the proposal to purchase the property. Of those 340 supported the decision, or roughly 80% of respondents and 65% of all members. Out of those respondents, almost half have financially supported the decision by contributing to our building fund.
The front of 2048 S. Pontiac Way became the RMPL’s new meeting room.	Purchase of the adjacent property had become important as the space at 2038 S. Pontiac became more heavily used for meetings and storage. Storage burdens had been temporarily relieved by the purchase of three large storage sheds. A study group in December 2008, spelled out a plan of action identifying the needs of a future expanded library. The study group report clearly outlined the growing needs of the library for additional space.
RMPL members Steve Nadler and Jeff Modesitt apply the finishing touches of paint to the meeting room.	The availability of the property at 2048 S. Pontiac Way was presented to President Lugo in late July 2009. A number of meetings were held to study the purchase of 2048 S. Pontiac way. Four areas of concern were addressed. These included:
Meeting of The Collector’s Club of Denver. Automatic projection screens and overhead projector have been installed since this photo.	A. A 1,200 square foot meeting room.
The American Topical Association President’s Reception in the meeting room during the ATA Show in June 2010.	This was the Library’s most pressing need, and was more than adequately addressed by the 2048 S. Pontiac Way property. Since its purchase, the meeting room has served a variety of purposes, relieving considerably the congestion that was frequently the case at 2038. Modern, up-to-date projection equipment has been installed for programs by the numerous clubs using the meeting room. In the room is the supply closet for the Metro Denver Youth Club. An additional room provides storage for video equipment, and a marvelous display counter (donated by Porter Memorial Hospital) provides a work counter and display cabinet for displaying many of the RMPL’s collection of historic philatelic documents and artifacts.
The November 2010 RMPL bulk lot auction required even more rearranging to accommodate the overflow crowd.	The meeting room (designed with soft wall colors and the RMPL’s trademark blue carpeting and window treatments) has hosted the RMPL’s auctions, as well as meetings of national philatelic societies visiting the RMPL
The Denver Metro Youth Club meets in the room on the regular basis, with its supplies stored behind this specially built postmaster’s door designed by Board member Don Dhonau.
Editor Ron Hill and stamp program volunteer Mary Ellen Merkel in the SCRIBBLINGS office.	B. Office Space: Another pressing need of the facility at 2038 was office space for the growing assemblage of volunteer staff and services offered by the RMPL. One half of the lower level of the building was ideal for this purpose. Approximately 700 square foot space was available as offices of several RMPL programs. At the front entrance of the offices is the office of the RMPL’s SCRIBBLINGS newsletter; also situated in that office area is space for our vertical files coordinator Jim Moorman.
A casual user of the map collection.	Further down the corridor are other rooms and offices. One room is the RMPL Map Room for the library’s growing map collection, first begun by founder Bill Dunn (for whom the room is named) and currently maintained by Map Curator, Bill Crabbs. Another room is for storage.
	A few feet down the corridor are three more rooms, each one abreast of each other. On the left is the entrance to the Don and Ellengail Beuthel Conference Room. This spacious conference room can host meetings of 10 to 20 people in its comfortable atmosphere. The room also houses, the locked research reference files of the United Postal Stationery Society.
The CPHS Room is being finished to house the most extensive collection of material on Colorado postal history that can be found in the nation. Roger Rydberg is responsible for the work, as being explained here by Ellengail Beuthel to Steve McGill.	Along the corridor across from the conference room are special rooms indeed. One (the Jim Ozment and Bill Bauer Special Collections Room) is devoted to the holdings of the Colorado Postal History Society. It is maintained by the CPHS and is available to the public by appointment. The second room is also partially used by the CPHS, and also houses other special collections. These include Gene McGruer’s German Inflation Period Reference Collection, Jack Willard’s Special Machine Cancellation Reference Collection, Mark Vainer’s Judaica Reference Collections, and Jim Ozment’s Mobile Post Office Reference Collection. This room is open by appointment. Bathroom and kitchen facilities complete the office segment of this portion of the building.
The original industrial nature of the annex is gradually being replaced.	C. Library Annex Space The lower portion of the property also provides over 700 square feet of (former) garage space that will eventually be turned into about 4,400 linear feet of new library shelving. Remodeling of this portion of the building is expected to be completed by 2013. Its future shape can already be envisioned. First, new shelving will run the length of the east and west walls, as well as the south wall and replacing the current garage door opening on the north wall. At least one (possibly two) bank of shelving is also anticipated down the center of the room. Progress towards such shelving has already begun, with the installation of refurbished original wood shelving in the garage to the new lovely shelving along the east wall already completed and presently used for the RMPL’s large collection of auction catalogs.
Volunteers have been refurbishing the wood and reinstalling the finished product for our Auction Catalog’s Reference Collection	Carpeting will be installed as other major remodeling projects are completed, including modern, decorative heating and air conditioning systems. Work cubicles may be installed for users of the annex, which is anticipated to hold the RMPL’s auction catalogs, society directories, philatelic newspapers and portions of either the periodical collection or the book collection. The room will also house the library of the Society of Czechoslovak Philately.
Dinner was served to members during the ATA President’s Reception in the formal area of the garden in June 2010.	D. Garden Area The adjacent vacant lot offered ample space (roughly 6,000 square feet) for future expansion, or alternatively a parking lot or a garden. The vision of the President was for an area of aesthetic beauty and relaxation that could be used by members and visitors during the season for enjoying nature and for meetings and events.
The upper portion of the formal garden to be developed into an alpine theme garden area. The community garden had provided its bounty to residents and RMPL members during the summer of 2010.	That vision has already been realized by RMPL member and volunteer, Tonney Van Loij and his master gardening skills. The front half of the lot has been converted into a formal garden, with work continuing on the middle portion of it into 2011. That front half features a walkway, flower beds, and a flagstone surfaced patio area for gatherings. The rear portion (still under development) will feature an alpine themed, landscape garden of lichen covered rocks and mountain grasses and shrubbery, as well as a large gazebo and cooking area for outdoor events.
The expanded community garden as seen from the retaining wall near the entrance to the lower office area and annex.	The back half of the lot is devoted (presently) to a community vegetable garden. Expanded in 2010 by the addition of a retaining wall, the community garden measures roughly 2,400 square feet. Maintained by a local resident for the past 20 years, the products of the community garden were a smash hit with members of the RMPL who managed to harvest bushels of its produce.

More Information

Those of us who are actively involved in the RMPL are quite proud of what has been accomplished. We are an all volunteer organization - about 20-25 volunteers keep the doors open 6 days per week. Our hours are 10 - 4 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Thursdays we are open from 2 - 8pm. We are closed on Sundays and all Federal holidays.

Generous philatelists from around the country have donated almost everything in the two buildings of the Library, as well as to the gardens. We thank each and every one of them. The Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library has 501 (c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service. We are a public charity and donations to the RMPL are considered a charitable deduction on Federal Income Tax forms. The RMPL is supported by over 500 members and by donations of funds and materials.

The Sales Division, headed by RMPL volunteer Howard Benson, is a vital part of our fundraising activities. Howard supervises about 20 volunteers who help sort donations of collections and prepare them for sale. We have a sales section in the library that is broken down into categories:

• 5¢ books, stamps that catalog up to 50¢
• 10¢ books, stamps that catalog up to $1
• Priced as Marked books, stamps that catalog over $1
• Covers, postcards, FDCs, postal history
• Topicals, neatly arranged by topic

Another integral part of the library has grown with the stamp program. Currently under the direction of Board member David Weisberg, the RMPL’s auction division has grown from its humble start in 1995 to a smoothly operating silent auction held at the Rocky Mountain Stamp Show each May, and a large lots/bulk lot auction held in October of each year. Together, these auctions raise nearly $30,000 in revenue for the RMPL, with amounts anticipated to increase as David and other volunteers are able to cull out and categorize increasingly expensive donations to the Library.
A publications program, under the direction of President Lugo has evolved at the RMPL over the last, several years. Its products, thus far, have received wide praise and recognition. The first book (produced in 2008, and written by Sergio): Camp Genter won gold medals at the three national literature competitions in which it was entered. The second hardback publication (produced in November 2010, and written by past president Ron Mitchell) is expected to do as well in the future. It is popularly known as The Denver Eagles.

One of the most active groups meeting at the library every third Saturday from 9:30-noon is the Metro Denver Young Stamp Collectors Club. Four adult volunteers keep the kids interested and challenged. This work spills over to every local stamp show where a youth table is provided. The RMPL provides materials for use at all of those booths.

We offer assistance to persons who have "inherited" stamp collections helping them to find the best way to dispose of the collections.

We are a philatelic research library and try to help the individual collector.

We truly are the Philatelic Center of the Rocky Mountain region... Stop by for a visit! We think you will be surprised.