Borrowing books

Our lending service makes the most comprehensive gardening collection in the world available to RHS members in their own home

Our collection consists of thousands of titles covering every aspect of horticulture from specialist plant literature to general gardening advice. Books can be borrowed from one of our lending libraries at Harlow Carr, London or Wisley.

Your RHS membership card allows you to borrow up to five books or DVDs for up to four weeks.

Browse our library catalogue

More information

How to borrow

To become a library member you will need to have an RHS membership and complete our online registration form. Your library membership is valid for the same period as your RHS membership.

Library members can borrow our e-books and audiobooks and access them anywhere using the Libby app or the OverDrive website. See our e-book and audiobook page for further details.

Postal loans

Postal loans are available to UK and Northern Ireland library members who are unable to visit the library in person. See our Postal loan information sheet for further details.

 

Renewals
You can renew items for a maximum of two additional periods of four weeks, as long as no one else has requested them. You can renew your loans using your account on the library catalogue.
Reservations
You can reserve items that are currently out on loan, or located at another RHS library, using the library catalogue. You will receive an email to confirm when and where you can collect your items. Items held at Rosemoor and Hyde Hall are not available to be loaned to library members.
 
A message will appear if you request an item that is not available to you at your location. Please contact us if you would like to request to see an item that is in storage or held at another library location.
Requesting articles
We can supply photocopies and scans of printed material by post and email, provided they are for non-commercial use. A request form incorporating a copyright declaration must be completed and signed for each item and returned to the library. Some copies may incur charges. Please contact library staff if you require further information.

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.