Our library is currently open to SLBI members only. If you are a member, please make an appointment.

Searching the library catalogue

You can browse our library collection on the right hand side of this page. Please note that searches (ie using the ‘enter search term’ box) just search the book title. If you want to find books by a particular author or for a more detailed subject search then please contact us. Subject areas covered include:
– Allan Octavian Hume (our founder)
– botanical art
– crops and economic plants
– Darwinia

– floras from around the world
– ferns, grasses and aquatic plants
– funghi, moss and lichens

– herbals
– horticulture & gardening history
– medicinal plants
– natural history and ecology
– plant families and genera
– plant physiology and taxonomy
– trees
– UK floras and UK county floras

We also have a small collection of botanical periodicals.

About the library

The library is in a delightful Victorian period room in a Victorian house which is full of character and original features. There is space for you to read our books at your leisure. Opening hours currently vary, due to Covid and building works – please contact us for details.

Queries about our catalogue:
Please feel free to Contact us with any queries about our collection – the online ‘search’ isn’t totally comprehensive so if you’re looking for something and can’t find it, do please call or email us.

Volunteering:
We are currently looking for additional volunteers to help in our library. Volunteering can involve cataloguing and classifying publications, as well as helping visitors and showing them around the Institute. If you would be interested in helping us, on a Thursday, do please Contact us.

School visits:
Our school programmes often include doing plant-based art activities in our library (on Tuesdays & Wednesdays) – see School Visits