Support the RHS

Lindley library digital catalogue appeal

The Lindley Library in London currently contains:

• Over 50,000 books, dating from the early 16th century to the present day.
• 1,500 periodical runs from the late 18th century onwards (including some 400 current titles).
• 28,000 botanical drawings, ranging in date from the 17th century to the present.
• The UK's largest collection of horticultural trade catalogues, dating back to the 18th century, comprising catalogues from some 7000 firms of nurserymen and garden sundriesmen worldwide.

The first phase of the Lindley Library project addressed the issue of re-housing the collection in an appropriate environment using advanced conservation techniques. Provision was made to accommodate the future expansion of the Library and an optimum working environment was created for users, staff and volunteers.

The second phase of the project is to ensure worldwide access to the books and collections by facilitating both physical and remote access through the creation of a digital catalogue.

The introduction of a digital catalogue and remote searching facility will directly benefit all users of the Library, both those who visit in person, and those who access its catalogues remotely. The creation of a digital catalogue will ultimately involve the recataloguing of all of the library’s collections to a uniformly high standard, allowing deeper and more rapid access to each collection than has ever before been possible.

However the nature of any catalogue is such that it is only when all the work has been completed that the public can share its benefit. The Society is keen to finish its work as quickly as possible and is only limited by our lack of additional financial resources with which to fast track the project.

The Society needs to raise £600,000 to complete this project. If you are interested in helping us reach our goal please contact Lottie Cole on 020 7821 3122, mailto:lotttiec@rhs.org.uk or use our faxback form.