The Eleanor Squire Library

History of the Eleanor Squire Library

Eleanor Squire Library is named in honor of the late Eleanor Seymour Squire whose personal collection of gardening books inspired the founding of the Garden Center of Greater Cleveland in 1930. The books were first housed at the Cleveland Art Museum and then moved to an unused stone boathouse in the fine arts garden when the Garden Center was formed. Some of those books are still in our collection and the four high-back wooden chairs are originally from the little second-floor library in the boathouse.

In 1966, the new building of the Garden Center of Greater Cleveland included plans for a large library, with funds for construction and decoration given by the Shaker Lakes Garden Club. The library’s collection is now located in three rooms, the Garden Room (where the main entrance to the library and the circulation desk are located), the Main Room (which also holds storage and rare book collections), and the Ford Resource Center (which hold books and videos for teachers).

The library’s circulating collection has expanded to nearly 17,000 volumes and is one of the largest circulating horticultural libraries in the country. Its resources include general gardening, horticulture, herbs, flowers, and landscape design. Additionally, there is a children’s section, a collection of Madagascar and Costa Rica books, teacher resources, videos, and a rare book collection. 

The original collection of rare books grew significantly in the late sixties when Warren Corning donated a major portion of his “Collection of Horticultural Classics” to the Botanical Garden. In December of 2006, Thomas Urban donated an extensive collection of rare wildflower books. The rare book collection now consists of 2000 volumes dating from 1491 to the 1970’s in a climate-control environment. The collection includes botanical art prints and an 1817 edition of Les Roses by Pierre Joseph Redoute.

Visiting the Collection

All circulating books, storage books (non-circulating editions from 1870’s to 1940’s), reference books, and specialized collections including teacher resources, children’s, Madagascar and Costa Rica, and videos can now be searched through the online catalog by author, title, subject, and keyword.  Clicking on the title in the catalog mode will give information on multiple copies and volumes, location and circulation. Visit the NEW online catalog of the Eleanor Squire Library!

The rare books are available to the public for the first time by appointment for review, research, and study. Currently, there are approximately 1000 titles in our rare book collection comprising nearly 1800 volumes, dating from 1491 to the 1970’s. A checklist of the rare book titles can be searched here. Call Gary Esmonde, Librarian, at 216-707-2812 to schedule an appointment. Books will be removed from the rare book room to be used in the library. Only one book at a time can be used and appointments can set up for an hour. A copy of the rare book user agreement can be viewed here.

Lecture Series and Events

Eleanor Squire Used Book Sale   May 24 - June 1
Come to our annual spring book sale in the library and browse through our interesting selection of horticulture and gardening books.  Open during regular Garden hours. Donations of all types of books gratefully accepted.  Call 216-707-2812.

General Information

Library Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.*
Sunday: Noon — 5:00 p.m.
*Open until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings

The library's free Horticulture Hotline may be reached by calling 216.721.1600, ext 140 or e-mail Gary Esmonde, Librarian, at gesmonde@cbgarden.org

Members may check out books for three weeks. Renewals may be made by phone or e-mail.

Gifts may be made to the library as a book purchase, rare book preservation, or a cash donation.

Semi-annual book sales are conducted. (Book donations are accepted)

A speaker's file is maintained with updated information on presenters, garden topics, and their fees.

Internet access is available.

For further information contact:
Gary Esmonde
Librarian — Eleanor Squire Library
Cleveland Botanical Garden
11030 East Boulevard
Cleveland, Ohio  44106
216.707.2812
gesmonde@cbgarden.org