Image: Adobe Express By Yiwen Liao
A community formed by plants—The Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture at the San Francisco Botanical Garden
The authors of Brilliant Green, Alessandra Viola, and Stefano Mancuso point out that while plants can survive and thrive without humans, human life depends entirely on plants. As Pewhairangi’s A Beautiful Obsession suggests, “the philosophy of LOVE enables us to transform the library’s trusted relationship with the community into a long-term love affair” (2014).
Image of The Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture at San Francisco Botanical Garden: Adobe Express Collage Maker project By Yiwen Liao
Becoming Earth: How Our Planet Came to Life Ferris Jabr in conversation with Ed Yong Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025 Time: 4:00pm-5:30pm Location: Garden of Fragrance, San Francisco Botanical Garden Price: $10 Suggested Donation ; Free with admission Gala for the Gardens speaker, science writer and author Ferris Jabr will discuss his acclaimed book, Becoming Earth: How Our Planet Came to Life. He will be joined in conversation with Ed Yong, Pulitzer winning writer and author of An Immense World and I Contain Multitudes. Co-hosted by Green Apple Books on the Park and the Helen Crocker Russell Library.
The Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture at the San Francisco Botanical Garden serves as a vital resource for the horticulture community and all visitors, embodying the concept of “a beautiful obsession,” as described by Sally Pewhairangi. Pewhairangi emphasizes the importance of understanding and engaging with the most valuable library members—those who deeply connect with the library’s offerings and contribute to its mission. Similarly, the library aligns with the Gardens of Golden Gate Park’s mission to connect people to plants, the planet, and each other, fostering a sense of community and shared learning.
The library’s robust collection spans diverse topics, including garden design, horticultural history, ethnobotany, sustainable agriculture, and botanical art. It caters to gardeners, scholars, students, and families, offering lending collections, special archives, and curated exhibits. Seasonal art displays and programs like the Summer Reading Club for children further enhance its role as a community hub. Visitors can explore rare books, nursery catalogs, and archives, providing insights into botanical history and ecological restoration.
Exhibit Structural Beauty: Photographs of the San Francisco Botanical Garden by Mark Citret February – May 2025 The Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture presents Structural Beauty: Photographs of the San Francisco Botanical Garden by Mark Citret.
By prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility, the library reflects the Gardens’ commitment to justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion. It invites visitors to engage with its resources through research, education, or leisure, fostering connections between individuals and the natural world. The library’s dedication to serving its community mirrors Pewhairangi’s philosophy of focusing on its most valuable members’ needs, desires, and interests, ensuring that its services remain relevant and impactful.
In essence, the Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture exemplifies the transformative power of libraries in connecting people to knowledge, nature, and each other, creating a space where curiosity and passion for horticulture thrive. Its alignment with the Gardens’ mission underscores its role as a cornerstone of community engagement and environmental stewardship.
References:
About – Gardens of Golden Gate Park. (n.d.). GGGP. https://gggp.org/about/
State, C. (2025). My #HuntLibrary. Ncsu.edu. https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/projects/my-huntlibrary
Pewrainangi, S. (2014). A beautiful obsession.
Fong, M. (2025, February 4). Structural Beauty: Photographs of the San Francisco Botanical Garden by Mark Citret – GGGP. GGGP. https://gggp.org/art-exhibit-mark-citret/
Mancuso, S., Viola, A., & Mancuso, S. (2015). Brilliant green : the surprising history and science of plant intelligence (J. Benham, Tran.; English edition.). Island Press.