The University of Florida Herbarium welcomes visitors with a legitimate research interest. The herbarium holds a vast storehouse of information, including museum specimens of historic importance dating back into the mid-1800's and a comprehensive library of literature related to plant systematics. The specimens are fragile and are organized in a specialized system. Our goal is to balance the use of the collection with its preservation.
ACCESS
- The Herbarium Library is available for reference consultation by everyone during normal office hours, subject to staff availability. An appointment is not necessary, but phoning ahead (352-273-1990) to make sure we are open is advisable. Library materials are available for in-house reference use only; they are not checked out. Photocopying services are available on a cash reimbursement basis.
- Collection access is provided based on the experience of the visitor in accordance with our Collection Use Protocols.
- Visitors wishing to use a collection are requested to contact a designated staff member of the appropriate collection in order to arrange a visit. This will allow us to schedule the visit, have staff available to assist, and make sure the collection will be available for use so that the goals of the visitor may be accomplished. Contact information is available on each of the collection pages.
LOCATION
Our Plan Your Visit page provides our hours, contact information, address and directions.
HOURS
We are typically open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5 pm, except for holidays and subject to staff availability.
ARRIVAL AND CHECK-IN
- Visitors to The Florida Museum of Natural History's Dickinson Hall facility are required to first check in at the reception desk in the lobby. A temporary visitor badge will be issued by the lobby receptionist. This badge should be returned at the conclusion of the visit. The front desk will contact a herbarium staff member to greet you.
- Visitors will be escorted to the herbarium front office, 379 Dickinson Hall, where they should sign our herbarium guest register.
- Please secure backpacks in the lockers provided in the herbarium front office, or, by arrangement, in a staff member's office.
INCOMING SPECIMEN PEST CONTROL POLICY
- All specimens arriving to the herbarium must be decontaminated to reduce the possibility of introducing insect pests. Typically, incoming material is frozen for 7-14 days and then stored in insect-proof herbarium cabinets. Alternatively, material may be fumigated at the University of Florida Pest Control facility (this usually takes only a day or two). Contact the herbarium staff to make arrangements. Please note, if you plan to be here for only a few days, then you must mail your specimens to be frozen in advance of your visit.
INTERNET ACCESS AND COMPUTING FACILITIES
- A login account is necessary to access the University of Flordia wireless network. Guest accounts are available, but must be arranged in advance. Please contact the herbarium staff well in advance of your visit so they may put in a request with the Office of Museum Technology. Staff logins are required to access museum computers connected to via ethernet. Staff are not permitted to let others use their account.
