Related botany materials in other libraries may be classified under either the Library of Congress Classification or Dewey Decimal systems. The main Dewey Decimal Classification schedule for Botany is 580-589. However, within the larger limits imposed by considerations such as traditional collection strengths and materials budgets, it is essential that collection development be responsive to the needs of curators. Systematics, evolution and reproductive biology of neotropical Melastoma- taceae. The practice of systematics and taxonomy requires frequent consultation of the original descriptive literature, hence no period is excluded if relevant to the research, educational or curatorial work of the Department.
Coverage is world-wide with emphasis on the Western Hemisphere.
No language is excluded. Plant material is excluded from library collections. The Lillian Hohfeld Botany Library is the primary location for botany literature. The Academy's collection of diatom specimens is held in the Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Geology. Therefore, a special Diatom Library is located in the Department.