Yosef Wosk Library & Resource Centre
The Yosef Wosk Library and Resource Centre is the largest public access botanical and horticultural library in western Canada and complements the living resources of VanDusen Botanical Garden. In addition to our collection, you can enjoy regular community events hosted at the library.
Search our library catalogue here!
March – October
10 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday
11 am – 3 pm Saturday
November – February
10 am – 2 pm Monday – Friday
11 am – 2 pm Saturday
Please note: the Library is closed on Sundays and statutory holidays.
Tuesday, March 31, 6:30 pm – 8 pm
To learn more about the speaker, see here.
The Garden City Conservation Society grew out of a community movement to protect the Garden City Lands in Richmond, BC—136 acres of green space in the city centre once slated for high-density development and now preserved as city-owned parkland.
In response to ongoing ecological loss, the Society chose action over lament, launching the planting of biodiverse Miyawaki mini-forests—small, densely planted native forests that help communities bring nature back into their neighbourhoods.
Through partnerships, mentorship, and hands-on planting, this growing movement is restoring urban biodiversity and offering a hopeful antidote to eco-anxiety. Join us to learn how communities can take meaningful action for nature.
This Speaker Series will be offered in-person (in the Guide Classroom in the Visitor Centre) and online (over Zoom).
Wednesday, April 29, 7 pm – 8:30 pm
To learn more about the speakers, see here.
Bats have endured a long history of fear and misunderstanding, but how did these stories begin? And how have they impacted bat species conservation practices over time?
In this lecture, we will explore and deconstruct bat myths from North America and around the world, providing much-needed insights into how bats truly live. We will also describe the importance of bats in Vancouver, highlighting their roles within our cities and the threats our native species often encounter. Finally, we will discuss how current research is reshaping bat conservation, and what you can do to support bats and their long-term survival in the Lower Mainland.
This Speaker Series will be offered in-person (in the Guide Classroom in the Visitor Centre) and online (over Zoom).
Download the 2026 reading list here.
Join us on the second Monday of the month in February, April, June, September and November from 1-2 pm.
We purposely choose general topics to allow members to find materials that interest them and so that there is less demand on a limited number of copies of a particular book. Members are asked to read one, or as many of the suggested books as they like.
To prepare for Book Club meetings, check out the Yosef Wosk Library and Resource Centre at the VanDusen Garden Visitor Center, your local library and bookstore for books, ebooks and audiobooks. You are also welcome to conduct your own research online.
2026 Dates
Date: February 9, 1pm – 2pm
Theme: Oh, The Stories they Can Tell!
Register Here
Date: April 13, 1pm – 2pm
Theme: Let the River(s) Run
Register Here
Date: June 8, 1pm – 2pm
Theme: Modern Plant Explorers and the Thrill of the Hunt
Register Here
September 14, 1pm – 2pm
Theme: Accidental Adventures in Rescuing, Rearing and Renewal
Register Here
November 9, 1pm – 2pm
Theme: Botanical Journeys Around the Globe
Register Here
To view our VanDusen Book Club Reading List archive: click here
3 to 5 year olds and their families are invited to join us for Preschool Storytime in the Library!
Exhibition: West Coast Images
by West Coast Artists Guild
January 6 to April 30, 2026
The West Coast Artists Guild was formed in 2019 by a small group of artists and emerging artists who recognized the need for an inclusive west coast group to share, exhibit and sell their paintings. The direct sales of some members’ proceeds are given to charity. All that is necessary to join is a commitment to help the group in advancing its goals. We have twelve members, and our works include watercolour, acrylic, pastel, ink, oil, and pencil pieces in styles of realism, impressionism and abstract. Some of our artists have exhibited at the Studio 13 Fine Art, Visual Space, Kerrisdale Senior Centre, the Roberta Mickleson Gallery at Yosef Wosk Library and Resource Centre, and Trees Café Gallery.
Founded in 1976, and relocated to the new Visitor Centre in 2011, the Yosef Wosk Library and Resource Centre is the largest public access botanical and horticultural library in western Canada.
The library’s collection focuses on gardening in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest, and covers a wide range of topics including gardening techniques, selecting and growing ornamental plants, native floras from around the world, vegetable and herb gardening, pruning and training, North American ethnobotany, butterfly gardening, native plant gardening, flower arrangement, plant hunters, garden history, pests and diseases, garden design, gardens to visit, horticulture in urban environments, botany and plant ecology, plant conservation, literature in the garden, garden art, organic gardening, environmental science and much more.
The Yosef Wosk Library and Resource Centre’s research collection complements the living resources of VanDusen Botanical Garden. In addition to our collection, you can enjoy regular community events hosted at the library.
If you would like to connect with us before your visit please contact: library@vandusen.org
Are you open to the general public?
Yes! Anyone can use our library although only VanDusen Botanical Garden Association (VBGA) members are able to borrow books.
As a Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association (VBGA) member, can I check out materials?
VBGA members can borrow 3 books for 3 weeks at a time from our lending collection (all books with a green or orange label on their spines). Your VBGA membership card functions as your library card. Circulating items may be renewed once by e-mail or phone if they are not already overdue, and if no hold has been placed on them. All other materials are for library use only.
Do you answer questions over the telephone? By email?
Both! Contact us through library@vandusen.org or at 604-257-8668. The library staff and volunteers will be happy to let you know what information we have in the library on your topic and give answers and referrals whenever possible.
Are you part of the Vancouver Public Library system?
No, we are not.
Do you accept donations of books and magazines?
The Yosef Wosk Library & Resource Centre accepts donations of books. All donated material is reviewed according to the selection criteria applied to purchased material. If your donation is not needed for the library collection, it will be sold in a used book sale with the proceeds going to the library’s book acquisition budget. However, due to limited storage space, we may not be able to accept larger donations and out-of-date material.
Can I donate a book in memory of someone?
Yes. All gift books that are accepted into our collection will be processed with a memorial bookplate, if desired. You may contact us at 604-257-8668 for more information.
My plant is sick. If I bring it into the library, can you tell me what’s wrong?
We recommend you contact the Vancouver Master Gardeners Association of BC (Vancouver chapter) here. However, the library staff will help you find and use books from our reference collection on pests and diseases.
Can I make a cash donation to the Library?
If you wish to direct a financial donation to support the Library, to enhance the collection or donate to our Adopt-a-Shelf program please contact fundraising@vandusen.org or call 604-257-8677.
Do I need to wear a mask in the library?
Masks are no longer mandatory in all indoor public spaces in alignment with updates to the public health orders issued by the Provincial government. You are welcome to keep wearing masks, depending on your level of comfort.
Contact Information:
Marina Princz: Librarian
Tel. 604-257-8668
Email: library@vandusen.org
Yosef Wosk Library and Resource Centre
5151 Oak Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6M 4H1
We are a member of the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries (www.cbhl.net).
