Covid Notice
The physical location of the library in the Hunnewell Building is closed to the public in response to COVID. We do not know when we will reopen. We are open virtually and our staff is happy to assist you. Please email us at hortlib@arnarb.harvard.edu for service.
Standard Hours
We are open to the public Monday through Friday, 10:00am–4:00pm, and closed on weekends and holidays. Changes in hours of operation are posted here [scroll down to Arnold Arboretum].
When the Visitor Center is open, please see a greeter for library access. When the Visitor Center is closed, call the library at 617.522.1086 from the courtesy phone in the lobby.
No coats or bags are allowed in the library; check them in the lockers on the first floor. Please refer to our Use of the Library and Archives guidelines.
Our Philosophy
As a small collection in the Harvard Library system, the Arnold Arboretum Horticultural Library and Archives’ success is the result of the quality, dedication, and special expertise of our staff. Teamwork, cooperation, courtesy, and respect coupled with the desire to share information with all who seek it are our guiding principles.
At Your Service
We are pleased to assist you with navigating our collections. We can provide introductions to our materials, training on our systems, and interlibrary loans for onsite use.
Please e-mail us at hortlib@arnarb.harvard.edu.
Permissions, Licensing, Imaging Services
We regulate the use of materials in our collections. Our access, reproduction, and publication policies were established by the Library with the advice of Harvard’s Office of the General Counsel. Our policies balance the needs of patrons, the rights of the copyright holder, and our rights and responsibilities towards our collections.
Our licensing agreement, permissions documents, and fee schedules:
- Licensing agreement for duplication of images
- Permission to examine archival materials
- Permission to publish manuscript material
- Schedule of fees for imaging reproduction
- Schedule of fees for photocopying and imaging services
Member of the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries.
An international organization whose purpose is to initiate and improve communications among persons and institutions concerned with the development, maintenance and use of libraries of botanical and horticultural literature.