The Cincinnati Park Board Library and Archives is an impressive repository of parks history and a diverse collection of nature lore and literature. Among its holdings are the writings of early parks naturalist Hester Stephenson, herbarium samples from French Park, microfiche of 1920's Park Board meeting minutes, old copper engravings of Krohn Conservatory, and Reverend W. Bingley’s Natural History, a volume published in Cincinnati in 1870, "exhibiting, in a series of delightful anecdotes and descriptions, the characteristic habits and modes of life of the various Beasts, Birds, Fishes, Insects, Reptiles, Mollusca, and Animalculae of the Globe.” The library includes three distinct collections – archives, books, and nature education materials.
Located on the second floor of the Bettman Natural Resource Center in O’Bryonville since 1995, the archival collection was organized by volunteers, a massive project that began in 1989, and has been managed by volunteer staff ever since. The collection includes books and periodicals, brochures, historic documents, reports, maps, planting plans, blueprints, photographs and slides, letters, press releases, media samples, newspaper clippings, videos, posters and other art works.
A deposit collection of nature books from the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County formed the core of a reference library at Bettman. Gifts from Hauck House, and bequests from the personal libraries of Hester and Bernice Stephenson and of Albert Shoop, long-time caretaker at Stanberry Park, added depth and value to the collection which continues to grow through donations and occasional purchases at used-book sales. An interesting mix of the popular and scholarly, with books for adults and children, the collection numbers about 1200 and is shelved on the first floor of Bettman Center. Historic science books share shelf space with modern works on ecology, weather, gardening, trees, birds, insects, mammals, and ocean life. An unusual Native American collection includes a cookbook and 1940s coloring and comic books.
Also housed at Bettman is a substantial collection of nature education materials for parks staff preparing school programs and other presentations, including the “Nature Next Door” collection of 100+ children’s books. Smaller book collections are located at the other nature centers: Avon Woods, Caldwell, California Woods, LaBoiteaux Woods, and Trailside.
An unusual “special library” and little known resource in the community, the Cincinnati Park Board Library and Archives offers a vast array of information for students, authors, community historians, and other researchers. The computer catalog, with sophisticated search capabilities, is a detailed guide to both archives and books.
CIRCULATION POLICY:
Archival materials may be photocopied but do not circulate; books may be perused in the library. Some photographs can be scanned and e-mailed, or reproduced professionally (at a cost to the patron).
Donations to the library are always welcome!
LIBRARY HOURS: Open to the public by appointment
Volunteer staff on duty:
Monday/Wednesday 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM and Friday 9:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
Bettman Natural Resource Center
4 Beech Lane
Cincinnati, OH 45208
Phone:
513-321-6070, Ext. 13
Fax:
513-321-6218
