Welcome to the Sterling Morton Library
The Sterling Morton Library, designed by noted Chicago architect Harry Weese, is located in the Administration and Research Center on the East Side of the Arboretum, just a short walk from the Visitor Center. It is an attractive space, with curved cherry bookcases, glass shelves, a ceiling that appears to float, and its own intimate garden—the May T. Watts Reading Garden—a perfect place to spend a summer's day reading a good book.
HOURS
Tuesday–Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE STERLING MORTON LIBRARY!
Zone 5 Science Cafe – Protect Our Pollinators
What's all the buzz about pollinators? Who are they, why are they important and what can we do to help their habitats? Explore and learn about which trees, shrubs, and perennials are ideal for developing and maintaining pollinator habitats. Concerned about factors that affect populations of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds? What is the difference between native bees and managed honeybees? Join us as we investigate the answer to these questions and many more.
Susan Schmitz, Trials and Education Manager, Ball Horticultural Corporation
Z152.Thursday, May 16; 7 - 8:30 p.m. $5 members ($6 nonmember including admission).
Registration details at: https://education.mortonarb.org/ei/cm.esp?id=26&;pageid=_38J0RX1W8&showpage=coursedet&course=133Z152&start=eiscript
Every Drop Counts: Plants For Dry Conditions
Lower your maintenance and select plants that thrive in dry places! Tired of spending so much time watering? Susan will explore annuals and perennials that thrive under drier conditions, discuss garden favorites and introduce you to what is new on the market.
Susan Schmitz, Trials and Education Manager, Ball Horticultural Corporation
H363. Thursday, May 30, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. $22 members ($30 nonmembers). Limit 24.
Registration details at: https://education.mortonarb.org/ei/cm.esp?id=26&;pageid=_38J0RX1W8&showpage=coursedet&course=133H363&start=eiscript
Botanical Art in Garden Catalogs
Spend a summer afternoon with Arlene Widrevitz learning about the artists and illustrations used in seed and garden catalogs beginning with the first English flower catalog from 1730 produced by Robert Furber. Enjoy a glass of lemonade and fresh fruit and goodies in the May T. Watts Reading garden following the presentation to share in a lively discussion on the place of the artist in the creation of a catalog.
A421. Thursday, June 6; 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sterling Morton Library. $32 member ($38 nonmember).
Registration details at: https://education.mortonarb.org/ei/cm.esp?id=26&pageid=_38J0RX1W8&showpage=coursedet&key=&start=eiscript
Tales and Treasures
In 2013, the Sterling Morton Library turns 50! To celebrate this auspicious anniversary, our new exhibit, Tales and Treasures, will showcase 50 rare and unique objects from our collections, each with a special story to tell. Displays of rarely seen objects, interactive games, and a library-wide scavenger hunt will engage visitors of all ages in the rich legacy of the Sterling Morton Library. After exploring, visitors will be invited to imagine what the next 50 years might hold for this and other libraries!
Free with Arboretum admission, this exhibit will be available for viewing in the Sterling Morton Library through December 31, 2013 during our regular Library hours: Tuesday-Friday from 9-5 and Saturday from 10-4.
Leafing Through the Pages
Interested in a morning of community, connectivity and spirited conversation? Join Leafing Through the Pages, the Library's book discussion group! Meeting on the second Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. until noon, this group explores works of fiction and non-fiction relating to natural history, ecology and the garden.