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
10.00am – 4.30pm Monday – Friday
11.00am – 3.00pm Saturday
November & December
10.00am – 2.00pm Monday – Friday
11.00am – 2.00pm Saturday
Please note: the Library is closed on Sundays and statutory holidays.
50th Anniversary Lecture Series
Since 1975, VanDusen Botanical Garden has been a place of wonder, learning, and growth. To mark this golden occasion, we are thrilled to present a special anniversary speaker series featuring thought leaders in horticulture, conservation, and biodiversity.
Featuring presentations by Monique Gray Smith, Suzanne Simard, Brian Minter, Egan Davis as well as a evening with VanDusen’s expert staff and volunteers, join us as we celebrate the past and look forward to the future!
Note: Each talk will be presented both in person and online, and pre-registration is required for both formats.
Upcoming presentation:
An Evening with Monique Gray Smith
Wednesday May 21 2025
7.00pm – 8.00pm
In person & online
Download the 2025 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.
2025 Dates
Date: February 10, 1pm – 2pm
Theme: Botanical Illustration and Art: Whats the Difference
To view reading list and register: click here
Date: April 14, 1pm – 2pm
Theme: Close to Home: The Healing Power of Everyday Plants
To view reading list and register: click here
Date: June 9, 1pm – 2pm
Theme: In Love with the Natural World
To view reading list and register: click here
September 8, 1pm – 2pm
Theme: The Writer’s Imagination and the Spirit of Place
To view reading list and register: click here
November 10, 1pm – 2pm
Theme: What are Your Plants Saying About You
To view reading list and register: click 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: Seasons – VanDusen Botanical Garden
A photographic exhibition by Gloria King
May 8 – September 6
Admission: Free
Gloria King is pleased to present her latest exhibition, Seasons – VanDusen Botanical Garden.
Born and raised in South Africa and of Chinese heritage, Gloria discovered her passion for photography at a young age. Her journey into art photography has earned her multiple International and Canadian awards.
For many years, VanDusen Botanical Garden has been a source of inspiration for Gloria. This series captures the ever-changing cycles of the seasons, from sweeping landscapes to the delicate beauty of a single flower. Each season is both constant and unique, embodying nature’s continuous cycle of growth, transformation, and decay. With every visit, she seeks to preserve these fleeting yet timeless moments, sharing the wonder and joy she experiences through her lens.
Opening Reception: May 10th, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, all are invited
Open:
10.00am – 4.30pm Monday – Friday
11.00am – 3.00pm Saturday
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: [email protected]
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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: [email protected]
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).
