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Rare Book Room

Charles Stuart Gager, the first Director of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, was a man of extraordinary vision, a distinguished botanist, and a bibliophile. For Gager, assembling a great botanical library to support the historical and scientific study of plants was an integral part of building a great botanical garden. Through special endowments and generous gifts, Gager and those who followed built a collection of significant botanical and horticultual works that has few rivals.

Hours

Hours are by written application and by appointment only.

Access

The Rare Book Room is available for research to qualified readers by application to the Director of Library Services. Application must include a statement of research goals and affiliation of the researcher. Please complete the online application form, or print this form and mail it to Director of Library Services, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225.

The Collection

The non-circulating rare book collection, comprising some 1500 volumes from the 15th century through the 20th century, is particularly strong in:

Early European herbals, including those by Brunfels, Dodoens, Fuchs, and Mattioli.
The great color-plate books, including those by Blackwell, Miller, Loudon, Hooker, and Redouté.
Landmark works by Linnaeus, including correspondence, Hortus Cliffortianus, and Species Plantarum.
New World floras by early travelers in the Americas, like Bartram, Catesby, and Michaux.

Bibliographic records for most of this collection are available through LINNAEUS, the Library's online catalog.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Library Rare Book Room Application for Reading Privileges

To the Director of Library Services:

I have read the Rare Book Room Rules and Procedures and agree to observe them. I hereby apply for reader's privileges.

E-mail (required): First Name: Last Name: Address: City: State: Zipcode: Telephone number: Local address and telephone number if different from above: Occupation: Employer, school or institutional affiliation (please include address and telephone number): Position (if student, indicate degree level): Subject and purpose of study

(Be specific, e.g., doctoral dissertation on Linnaeus):

Volumes to be consulted: Date(s) and time(s) for which admission is requested:

Please check here if we may use your name and subject of research in Library reports or publications.

I agree not to publish or reproduce manuscripts, drawings, or any printed materials from the Library's collections without specific permission in writing from the Library.

Brooklyn Botantic Garden

Rare Book Room

Hours

Access

The Collection

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Library Rare Book Room Application for Reading Privileges