Hibiscus The Botanical Magazine by William Curtis, printed in 1787. From the Library's rare book and periodical collection.

The Library provides reference and information services to Garden members and staff as well students, scientists and other patrons. The collections of the Library are used by a diverse group interested in horticulture, landscape architecture and botany, from garden writers and researchers to high school students to university faculty members. The Library's services fulfill, in multiple ways, the commitment of the School of the Chicago Botanic Garden to public service and education.

The basic book and periodical collections of the Library are open to the public. Members of the Garden may check out books from the collection for a loan period of four weeks. Certain collections, such as rare books, are available only by appointment.

Photocopying
A photocopier is available in the Library for patrons to make photocopies, depending upon the size and condition of specific items from the collections. Photocopies cost 10 cents per copy. Users are responsible for adhering to all copyright restrictions.

Interlibrary Loan
Books from the general collection are made available for interlibrary loan, as are photocopies of articles from journals in the collection. Requests for interlibrary loan can be made through the North Suburban Library System and the interlibrary loan module of OCLC. A $10 fee is assessed for interlibrary loan requests, but is waived for all requests from libraries in Illinois.

Reference and Research
A reference librarian is always available during normal business hours. Access to a variety of databases and Internet resources is available with the assistance of a reference librarian. Specific plant identification and plant pathology problems are referred to the Garden's Plant Information Office, where horticulturists and trained volunteers provide timely assistance.

Management strategies help the collection to focus on specific needs for researchers and the public. To this end, exchanges have been established with institutions as diverse as the Field Museum of Natural History, Lithuanian Academy of Science and the Botanic Garden of the Irkutsk State University.