San Francisco Botanical Garden

Helen Crocker Russell
Library of Horticulture

The Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture, established in 1972, is northern California's largest horticultural library. The library houses approximately 27,000 volumes and 450 plant and garden periodicals.

The library collections cover all aspects of horticulture including gardening, garden design, botanical art, ethnobotany and pest management, with an emphasis on plants grown in Mediterranean and other mild temperate climates. The library also features a 1,600-volume children's botanical library, Sunday children's story time programs and botanical art exhibitions.

Open 7 days a week
from 10 am - 4 pm.

Closed on major holidays.

Phone: (415) 661-1316 ext. 403

              library@sfbotanicalgarden.org 
              

              

              Barbara Pitschel

              Head Librarian

              bpitschel@sfbotanicalgarden.org

              

              Jane Glasby

              Associate Librarian

              jglasby@sfbotanicalgarden.org

              

              Brandy Kuhl

              Assistant Librarian

              bkuhl@sfbotanicalgarden.org



              Library History

              

              Support the Library

Dìa de los Muertos
A Special Children's Storytime & Family Walk
Don't miss this special hour-long storytime featuring books in both English and Spanish. 10:30 am with walk in the Garden at 11:30 am. FREE

Discover a Treasure Trove of Used Horticulture Books
The Library now offers used books for sale on a variety of horticulture-related topics. Come and browse this ever-evolving selection of treasures. By appointment only.

How to Buy >>

Art in the Library:
"Vanishing Orchids"

Exhibition of 19th century botanical art from the collection of Jack Kramer
October - December

New Books and Old Favorites
Check out our monthly lists of recommended children's books along with a Featured Book of the Month.

October List
Dìa de los Muertos List
November List
December List

Children's Bibliography
A complete list of our wonderful collection of over 1,600 books for children on plants, natural history, general science and more is now available in downloadable format (PDF 1 Meg).

Children's Storytime & Family Walk
Stories at 10:30 with walk in the gardens at 11:00 am