Home

Library

The Arboretum Library is circulating to Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation members now. Come check us out!

Welcome to the Arboretum Library

The Arboretum Library houses upwards of 20,000 book titles and 300 current periodical titles on subjects ranging from gardening, horticulture, botany, California native plant life, environmental issues, and agriculture. Members of the general public can use the collection during library hours, and Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation members can check out materials for home use. We are also developing a Children’s book section that includes both fiction and non-fiction suitable for children of all ages. Children will be able to conduct research for school projects and participate in programming designed to promote literacy and environmental awareness.

Collections of The Library

dad reading to child"One of the nine objectives put forth in 1948 by the California Arboretum Foundation Board administrator for the newly founded Los Angeles State County Arboretum, was library service. A reference library for staff members only was the original intent in planning for a library, but since Arboretum objectives included both research and public information, it was soon apparent that the library must eventually become both a staff and a public resource."

From: What’s in an Arboretum Library by Lydia S. Bowen
LASCA Leaves Summer 1966 Vol. XVI No. 3

In 1942 the idea for a Library at The Arboretum was born. Collections were gathered through donations and purchases funded by the California Arboretum Foundation, Inc., from societies and individuals. Today the Library still holds the same charm and quaintness as it did over sixty years ago while its resources and its contents have expanded. The collections today cover so many interesting subjects ranging from plant science to gardening to children’s fiction and even include early California history.

  • Periodicals: Periodicals, or magazines, make up a large part of The Library’s holdings. Periodicals are arranged alphabetically and cover a variety of subjects.
  • Gardens: There are thousands of books on gardens of every shape and size in the library. Some subjects that are addressed are “how to garden,” “English gardens,” and even “pests in your garden.” There are picture books of gardens and how to draw flowers that grow in your garden. We are currently working on collecting pictures of early California gardens, please see below.
  • Taxonomy: Taxonomy is the classification or naming of living things. At The Library’s inception its primary purpose was to be a plant science library and taxonomy of plants is how the profession of botany moves forward with understanding what plants exist. While our taxonomy books are somewhat laborious to read those who do are often greatly rewarded. They are an excellent source to help you understand a plant in its native habitat or how to grow it in your garden.
  • Kinds of Plants: In addition to the taxonomy are a great many books on different kinds of plants. Aloes, agaves, poppies, camellias, daisies, perennials, ferns and many more have entire books devoted to describing and gardening with specific plants.
  • International Books: There are books from around the world in many languages available in The Library’s holdings. The Flora of Mexico is written in Spanish and we have other books that are written in the language that they originated. Books on the flora of Japan for example are written in Japanese. The list goes on! In addition to these books, we also have books that are translated into English from all over the world. We house literature on the flora of Egypt, Japan, Mexico, Turkey, and many more places around the world.
  • Botany: The botany books range from basic botany such as Botany Made Simple to ecological physiology of botany. The subjects include basic sciences like chemistry, physics, and biology, plant sciences, soil sciences and plant pathology of biological, entomological and abiotic factors. This is a very good resource for scientists and students as the collections are accessible and available for photocopying at a small fee.

Collections We Are Building

  • Children’s Collection: In an effort to provide resources and information to our younger members of the community, Susan Eubank, our current Librarian, began “growing” the children’s collection. The collection is housed seperately in the front of the library within easy reach of our customers.
  • Historical Gardens: We would like to gather pictures of historical Southern Californian gardens. If you own any, and would like to donate, we would love to have a photograph quality copy of the print or the actual print itself. We are willing to accept photographs, slides, and any form of visual media. If you are interested in donating your photographs please contact Susan Eubank.
  • Fiction: This is a new area of library collections being explored by The Library. The collection includes any type of fiction that is about plants in some way.

The Children's Section of the Arboretum Library

bookworm illustrationBookworms StoryTime

"Bookworms" is a free storytelling program. Come explore The Library and our great story trees! Enjoy plant & nature stories and a take home craft. Join us for Arboretum Bookworms Story Time on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month at 2pm & 3rd Wednesday of the month at 10am.
This program will go rain or shine. It is an indoor/ outdoor program; please dress appropriately.

Recommended for children ages 3-8.

Bookworm Themes

July 18th at 2pm, 21st at 10am: Fireworks!
August 1st and 15th at 2pm, 18th at 10 am: Take a Trip to the Desert
September 5th and 19th at 2pm, 15th at 10 am: Its Refreshing: Drinks From Nature
October 3rd and 17th at 2pm, 20th at 10 am: Bombardiers, Helicopters and Beans
November 7th and 21st at 2pm, 17th at 10am: A Trip to Mexico
December 5th and 19th at 2pm, 15th at 10am: Plant Circles

Meet your bookworm guide at The Arboretum Main Entrance

Reading the Western Landscape Book Group

The Book Group explores the portrayal of western North American landscape in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. The group meets the 1st Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Arboretum Library. The group uses the Shared Inquiry™ method developed by the Great Books Foundation. The chosen book of the month must be read in order to participate. New members welcome.

Check out our current book selections.

Arboretum Library Circulation Policy

The Arboretum Library is circulating to Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation members now. Come check us out!

Circulation privileges

Any member of the general public may use library materials on-site, but only Arboretum Foundation Members may check out books. Please be sure to have your Membership Card with you.

Circulation details

Books may be checked out for three weeks at a time, plus an additional two renewals if needed. Items may be renewed in person, by phone, or by email. Current magazines may be checked out for three days, with no renewals.

Overdue items

The Library does not charge overdue fines. The Librarian is happy to accept donations for the Arboretum Library's new acquisitions fund.

Library Hours

The Arboretum Library is located within The Arboretum, past the admission’s ticket counter, and left out the double doors.

Tuesday through Friday
8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Saturdays
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sundays
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

During the week of August 10-14 the Arboretum Library will be open:

Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday will have normal hours.

Contact Information

Librarian Susan Eubank
Email Susan Eubank
Phone: (626) 821-3213
Fax: (626) 445-1217

For plant information when the Library is closed please call 626-821-3239

Related Links