The Toronto Botanical Garden's library was established in 1961, and was built on the collection provided by the Garden Club of Toronto. From a modest few shelves at that time, many librarians and volunteers have developed an outstanding horticultural library and information service for use by all members of the community. We now have a newly enlarged facility, made possible by a grant from the W. Garfield Weston Foundation. The current collection consists of over 9,000 volumes, an extensive periodical collection, and a multimedia collection including DVD's and CD-ROMS. Continue scrolling down for details about our collections, which include historical books, children's books, a Canadiana collection, and many more!

Library Services
Reference. Get help finding the information you need! Our librarian is available to both TBG members and the public. Ask your question in person, by phone or via email - visit the Contact Us page for details.

Circulating collection. All materials are available to the public in the library, but borrowing privileges are available for members only (click here for detailed borrowing policies). Please consider joining us and supporting our organization, as well as receiving full access to the rich resources of the library. Visit our What's New? page for a listing of recently arrived books!

Reference collection. We have a wide variety of reference resources such as botanical dictionaries and encyclopedias, directories, identification guides, and nursery catalogues.

Computer workstations. We have free internet access at our four public workstations. Printing is $0.20/page for black & white, and $1.00/page for colour.

Photocopying. $0.20/page for black & white, and $1.00/page for colour.

Special Collections
Green Roof Information. The Weston Family Library is the centre of Green Roof information for the student, homeowner, business owner, researcher, and policy maker.
More information.

Children's Collection. This collection of material is designed to stimulate young people's interest in topics such as gardening, nature, ecosystems and the environment, with an emphasis on promoting a positive outlook to caring for the world around us. The books are located in our special Kid's Corner, where a kid-sized table and chairs are available for reading individually or in small groups.

Southern Ontario Orchid Society. The material in this collection is available to the general public and is not restricted to Southern Ontario Orchid Society members. Both books and journals are included, some of which must be used on onsite.

Herb Collection. A growing collection of materials on herbs and their uses, generously provided for by a grant from the Toronto Herb Society.

Reference. Reference items include dictionaries, encyclopedias, directories, identification guides as well as current year periodical issues.

Historical. This collection contains both first editions and reprints or facsimiles of gardening and other horticulture books.

Canadiana. All works by Canadian authors or concerning Canadian subjects are designated by a special Canadian flag symbol on the spine.

Beginner. Books geared for those new to gardening or to a specific technique are marked with a yellow and black "B" sticker on the spine.

Nursery Catalogues. The library maintains a collection of selected Canadian, American and British plant and seed catalogues. These must be used onsite.

Non-print Resources. There is Internet access from our public workstations.

History of the Toronto Botanical Garden Library
The Garden Club of Toronto's Library provided the foundation for the Toronto Botanical Garden (then known as the Civic Garden Centre) library collection. It moved into Milne House in 1961 where it was managed and catalogued by Audrey Clark, the first librarian. Considerable damage was done to the collection in a fire in 1962, but generous donations from the Atkinson Charitable Foundation enabled such extensive cleanup to be performed that, in 1967, the library was invited to become a member of the Council of Botanical and Horticultural Libraries (CBHL).

When the new extension to the building was opened in 1976, Pamela Mackenzie, who was to serve as Librarian for the next two decades, assumed planning for the library's expansion. Under Pamela, a Director of CBHL for ten years and President for two, the collection greatly benefited from her knowledge and guidance. The present library has over 8,000 volumes and includes historical books, a children's section, the Southern Ontario Orchid Society's collection, and covers all aspects of horticulture and gardening. From a modest few shelves started in the early sixties, many librarians and volunteers have developed an outstanding horticultural library and information service for use by all members of the community.

The Civic Garden Centre became the Toronto Botanical Garden in 2003, marking the start of a new period for the library. A revitalization project initiated in 2004 provided a grant from the W. Garfield Weston Foundation for the expansion of the library. The new Weston Family Library has double the space of the existing library, making room for more shelving, public computers, and working space. Today the library staff and volunteers happily face the challenge of meeting the needs of a new botanical garden without losing the unique character of the much-loved library.