Services for RHS Students

The library team is here to support RHS students with their study and research 

We have lending and reference collections covering all aspects of gardening, including practical gardening, plant health, garden design, garden history and horticultural taxonomy.

We work closely with the RHS Education Team to make sure we have material relating to the latest RHS course modules.

Browse our library catalogue

What is an RHS student?

RHS students are studying for an RHS accredited qualification. These students include student members of the RHS, MHort distance learners and students or apprentices based in one of our gardens.

Students who are studying for an RHS level 2 or 3 qualification can join the RHS as a student member and register as a library borrower.
 

More information

Getting started

Whether you want to use the library in person or at a distance, library staff will help you navigate our collections, direct you to relevant information resources and enable your research through the provision of a range of electronic resources.

Contact us with your enquiries, to register as a library member, book an induction to one of our libraries, arrange a virtual one-to-one session with a librarian or to make a research appointment.

Borrowing from the library
RHS Students based in the UK can join the library and borrow up to five books or DVDS at a time from our lending libraries in London, Wisley and Harlow Carr.

Books, periodicals and electronic resources available in our libraries are listed on the library catalogue.

You can place requests for books currently on loan through your library account and the library team will notify you when they become available.
 
Postal loans
We offer postal loans from our lending collections to UK based RHS students who can’t come to the library in person. Please read the information sheet on postal loans further details.
Scan and send

We offer an electronic scan and send service for items in our print collection. Up to 5% of a book or one journal article from a single issue can be scanned and delivered to you by email.

To arrange the delivery of a scan please complete a scan request form and return it to us at [email protected]

Using e-resources

The library subscribes to a growing collection of e-books and e-journals which provide a wealth of horticultural information and inspiration.

All library members can access our general gardening e-book and audiobook collection on OverDrive. See our e-book and audiobook page for further details.

MHorts and RHS garden-based students can access our specialist e-resources linked to their course anywhere, anytime, using an OpenAthens account. Further information is available on the VLE (Virtual Learning Environment).

We also offer walk-in access for students to our electronic resources at the Lindley Library, Wisley Library and Harlow Carr Library.

SCONUL Access Scheme
The RHS Libraries are members of the SCONUL access scheme. This enables RHS staff, MHorts and Students studying with the RHS School of Horticulture at the RHS gardens to visit over 150 libraries across the UK and Ireland for reference use and study space and for students at other participating institutions to visit the RHS Libraries. Please see our SCONUL access scheme page for further details.
Contact us
The library team is here to help.  Please get in touch to discuss your study needs. You can visit us or email us at [email protected]
 

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.