A very Friendly library

Are you aware that one of the benefits of belonging to the Friends is that you are entitled to use the ANBG library? The Friends have always appreciated and supported the library and welcome Jane Black, who has recently joined the ANBG as their permanent full-time librarian. The library is open between 9:30 and 4:30 every day of the week. Jane produces a monthly newsletter, Library Connect, with information about recent acquisitions and other library news. Library Connect is available in the News section of the Friends Website

It is very easy to search the ANBG library catalogue for a particular book. The ANBG library collection covers a range of topics, such as Aboriginal plant use, herbaria, plant conservation, botanical illustration and horticulture. Many local native plant and botanical societies from around Australia contribute their newsletters, creating a valuable and unique sub-collection.

Where is the library ?

Walk into the Administration building, opposite the Visitor Centre. On your right, there is a door with these words on it ‘1.08 Administration’. Go through the door and up the stairs. At the top of the stairs, you will see a door labelled ‘Herbarium & Library’. This door opens into a long passage way, with glass walls on either side. At the far end of the passage, there is a flight of stairs on your right. These stairs take you to the library.

How do I join the library ?

Contact the Librarian, Jane Black on (02) 6250 9480 or ANBG.library@environment.gov.au. She will arrange a time for you to meet her in the library where she will explain the procedure for borrowing books and will also show you around the library.

What does the library do for the Friends ?

The library is a much-valued resource for many of the Friends interest groups. A selection of new books is shown to the guides at their regular monthly meetings. Members of the Botanical Art Groups and Growing Friends as well as members who attend the Plant Science  meetings, are all regular users of the library. If there is a book that you would like the library to consider purchasing, you can contact the library. The book will be considered for purchase dependent on availability of funds and if the book falls within the scope of the Library’s collection development policy.

The library has a collection of rare and valuable books and artworks.  These include the portfolios of Celia Rosser’s banksia prints, two plates from Joseph Banks’ Florilegium and Gillian Scott’s twenty-two  watercolour  paintings of Australian mistletoes.  Special viewings of these treasures for members of the Friends will occur throughout the year.

What do the Friends do for the library ?

Over the years the friends have donated money to the library for purchase of books and other material to complement the collection, which the library could otherwise not afford. For example, in 2016/17 the Friends allocated $2500 to the library for book purchase, in accordance with the principles mentioned above. In addition, two of ‘The banksias /​ Celia E. Rosser and Alexander S. George’ portfolios have been given to the library by the Friends and the Friends paid for the restoration of the two Banks Florilegium plates.