Inside The New York Botanical Garden

Library Debuts Circulating Children’s Section

Posted in From the Library on April 23 2012, by Stephen Sinon

The LuEsther T. Mertz Library is revered as a center for research in the fields of botany, horticulture, and landscape. However, it is also home to many interesting special collections which are less well-known, such as its 1,600 volume children’s collection. This collection contains books which were written for children and young adults, and its content ranges in date from the 1880s to the present. Some of these publications are great rarities, while others are illustrated by famous artists, or explain scientific, natural, or ecological principles; some pieces of the collection are story books, others are picture books, but each is made to be read and admired by children of any age.

While the entire collection is too large to display in the Library’s reading rooms, a selection of several hundred titles has been made from the collection and is now available to circulate to Garden Members for the first time in the Library’s history. The selection was made based upon visual appeal, condition, and date, and covers many of the topics which the Garden is passionate about. This includes conservation ecology, ethnobotany, biodiversity, plant science and home gardening. From time to time, as funds allow, the collection will be updated with new titles that can be taken home and enjoyed by all.

As with the Library’s Adult Circulating Collection, the Children’s Circulating Collection is available to Garden Members, volunteers and staff who have registered for a card at the Library Information Desk. We invite you to open your own Library account at the LuEsther T. Mertz Library today.