THE BROOKLYN INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 
BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN 
RECORD 
VoL. I Brooklyn, N. Y., October, 1912 No. 4 
THE NEEDS OF THE LIBRARY 
In the first annual report of the Garden (B. B. G. REcorp 
1:37. Ap 1912), attention was called to the fact that the library 
had grown, in accordance with our more urgent needs, as rapidly 
and extensively as the space at our disposal would permit. Men- 
tion was also made of the action of the Committee on Botanic 
Garden, on November 9, I911, to the effect that all expenses for 
the purchase and binding of books should be met from the private 
funds of the Garden, so that the Library should be entirely the 
property of the Institute. For several and obvious reasons this 
was a very wise action, not only because it is entirely appropriate 
that the Institute should do this much, as part of its share toward 
maintaining the Garden, but also because the administration of 
the library independent of all outside supervision is thereby 
insured. The Garden should own its books for the same reason 
that it should own the living plants, herbarium specimens, and 
lantern slides, as is already provided. 
well chosen library is absolutely essential in order properly 
to classify, name, and label our collections and public exhibits. 
Standard classical works as well as current and recent publica- 
tions are necessary, not only for the purpose just stated, but 
also to facilitate such investigations as members of staff and 
other resident investigators wish, and ought to be expected, to 
undertake. Furthermore, the work which the Garden plans to 
inaugurate in order to make itself helpful to local schools in con- 
nection with their botanical instruction, necessitates a collection of 
texts and other books, chosen with special reference to this 
phase of the Garden’s work. 
